News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. Almost 7 in 10 said so. In the third quarter of 2016, Debtwire canvassed the opinions of 60 private equity investors, prop desk traders, hedge fund managers, credit risk or workout managers, and emerging market investors in the Asia-Pacific region. Respondents were questioned about their expectations for the Asia-Pacific distressed debt and special situations market over the next 12 months. Distressed debt in general refers to high-risk debt securities which are in default or bear a significant chance of defaulting in the near future, and typically sell at a depressed percentage of par value with a potential for high return. Special situations, meanwhile, are circumstances in which the trade of a security is motivated by conditions pertinent to the situation, such as a change in valuation, making the situation event-driven. When respondents were asked to rate each country in the region based on its expected distressed debt/special opportunities in the next 12 months, 67% or almost 7 in 10 say Singapore offers few opportunities; 28% say it offers some opportunities and 5% say it offers no opportunites at all. Singapore is at the bottom of the ranking for countries offering significant opportunities. China is rated by the most respondents (97%) as a country offering significant opportunities in distressed debt and special situations, followed by South Korea and Vietnam both at 93%. More From Singapore Business Review Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... Cambodian lawmakers from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) look for their names during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Nov. 2, 2016. In a move that is troubling opposition party lawmakers, Cambodias National Assembly agreed to boost 2017 defense spending in the country by about 23 percent even though the country is at peace. We have noted that there is a contradictory point from the governments claims that our country has peace and good relations with neighboring countries, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) chief whip Son Chhay told reporters after Wednesdays vote to approve the budget. We are spending almost the same as Vietnam, which is having a conflict in the South China Sea, Son Chhay told the Phnom Penh Post. Vietnam and China are among the countries that are at loggerheads over Beijings attempts to control the valuable waterway. Cambodias defense spending would run just over $470 million in 2017, according to an analysis by the newspaper. The Ministry of Interior and Public Order is slated to receive about $320 million, according to the analysis. The countrys total budget for 2017 comes to about $5 billion, local media reported. All told, the budget plan projects that Cambodias spending will increase by about 15.6 percent with increases for most sectors. Education spending for 2017 is expected to be about $667 million, while health spending for comes in at around $420 million, according to the Phnom Penh Post. While the CNRP was critical of the budget approved by all 66 members of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party who attended the parliamentary session, the opposition abstained from voting, according to local media. Son Chhay told reporters after the vote that the CNRP could not support the budget because of what it deemed insufficient increases in spending to the Health Ministry and Education Ministry. The spending doesnt respond to the needs of priority sectors such as education and health, but the defense sector keeps increasing, he said, according to The Cambodia Daily. Prime Minister Hun Sen left the assemblys plenary session early to attend a meeting with the Vietnamese and Lao prime ministers. The color of money While Hun Sen didnt stick around, the national budget reflects his priorities, and the increase in military spending is problematic as the prime minister has shown little reticence about using the military inside Cambodia. Hun Sens personal body guard has been linked to abuses of power including the 1997 grenade attack that killed 16 people in what appeared to be an assassination attempt that targeted CNRP leader Sam Rainsy. Three members of Prime Minister Hun Sens military bodyguard, convicted of the brutal beating of a pair of opposition lawmakers near the National Assembly last year, were freed earlier this month after serving just one year in prison. Hun Sens bodyguard unit also deployed military helicopters, navy vessels and troops for exercises close to CNRP headquarters in downtown Phnom Penh. The prime minister, who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, has also made it clear that he will use the military to crush any color revolution in the country. All armed forces are obliged to absolutely ensure that Cambodia is free from any color revolutions, the Cambodian strong man wrote in a Facebook post. Such a revolution will harm peoples happiness and peace in Cambodia, he wrote. Armed forces shall protect the legitimate government. He made similar remarks during the Police Academy of Cambodias graduation ceremony. Hun Sen has inveighed several times against color revolutions, named after a series of popular movements that used nonviolent protests under colored banners to topple governments in countries of the former Soviet Union during the 2000s. Civil society groups and their supporters began staging Black Monday protests soon after the arrests of officials from the human rights group ADHOC that came in connection with the governments wide-ranging probe into an alleged affair between CNRP leader Kem Sokha and a young hair dresser. While the protests began as an attempt to pressure the government over the arrests, it has morphed into a more generalized campaign against government abuses, including land confiscations. Demonstrators wear black during the Monday protests as a symbol of solidarity. Land concession debate The seizure of land for developmentoften without due process or fair compensation for displaced residentshas been a major cause of protest in Cambodia and other authoritarian Asian countries, including China and Myanmar. Land issues were also part of the budget debate on Tuesday as Son Chaay blamed the countrys need to borrow $1 billion on the governments inability to collect taxed from companies with land concessions. Cambodia leases out large parcels of land to private companies that use the land concessions for growing crops or other economic activity. There is a conspiracy to let the concessionaires violate their contracts and sell the concession land or continue their deforestation, he said according to the Phnom Penh Post report. Deforestation is a big issue in Cambodia and other Asian countries. Companies with large land concessions often clear cut valuable timber from what are supposed to be protected forests. The timber is then smuggled into China where it is used to make high-end furniture. Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap defended the budget, saying it will help the country achieve its objective. Spending for the 2017 budget is in response to the priorities and needs of the various ministries and institutions to achieve their policy objectives, he said, according to the Cambodia Daily. Reported and translated by RFA's Khmer Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Apartment buildings surround the Monument to the Founding of the Workers' Party (center R) in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 17, 2016. Real estate brokers have popped up in North Korea to take advantage of the rapid increase in illegal private home purchases and sales in the communist nation as people scramble to secure shelter amid an early cold spell, sources inside the country said. Individual citizens who are forbidden by law to buy or sell houses on their own must rely on the brokers because they are connected to regional housing management departments and judicial authorities, they said. Most of the buyers are North Koreas nouveau riche who have earned money through their positions as Workers Party officials. In Chongjin, capital of North Hamgyong province, there are two brokersMr. Park from the Sunam area and Mr. Choi from the Pohang areawho provide real estate services to buyers, said a source from the province who requested anonymity. The brokers compile lists of people who put houses up for sale in expensive areas and pressure them to use their services to sell the properties, he said. The brokers usually make commissions of 20-30 percent on each transaction, he said. Others involved in the real estate business are mostly unemployed people or ex-convicts who are closely related to law enforcement authorities, the source said. Now an early unexpected cold snap is pushing up demand for private homes, the source said. The demand for private homes has increased because of the recent unexpected cold, he told RFAs Korean Service. Despite some major construction projects, including private homes, which are under way in North Hamgyong province, the housing shortage for North Korean residents remains the same, he said. Home prices have risen due to the housing shortage, and real estate brokers have appeared, he said. Bribe republic Although buying and selling homes is illegal in North Korea where all housing is controlled by a housing management department under each regional peoples committee, those who want to purchase a home usually pay brokers bribes to expedite residence registration and moving procedures, said another source from North Hamgyong province. Brokers threatening insistence that home sellers use their services force the sellers to lower their asking prices, which allows the brokers to make more money on top of their commissions, he said. Those who resist their demand have difficulties trying to sell their houses. The brokers are closely connected to authorities, so people with money use the brokers for housing transactions, he said. The Sinam area of Chongjin, which prospered for many years thanks to its fishing industry, fell victim to a recession years ago, and housing prices there fell, he said. But prices for homes in the Sunam neighborhood have risen significantly for several years because the citys largest market is located there. The newly constructed apartment building in front of [former leader] Kim Il Sungs statue in the Pohang [area of Chongjin] cost about $20,000, [but]private houses in Sunam cost more than $50,000, the source said. Written by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Soo Min Jo. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Bangladesh Border Guard personnel stand watch for illegal entry of Rohingya Muslims along the banks of the Naaf River, Nov. 23, 2016. Bangladeshs government complained Friday about an influx of Rohingya Muslims from neighboring Myanmar, following reports that hundreds have crossed the border as they flee killings and the burning of homes in Rakhine state. Border-police officials from both countries met Friday in the southeastern Bangladeshi district of Coxs Bazar to discuss the situation along their shared frontier, while Dhaka summoned Myanmars ambassador to lodge a complaint about the violence in Rakhine a western state in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar where the Rohingya minority is concentrated. [We have] raised our deep concern at the situation in Rakhine state. We have urged them to improve the situation there for the Rohingyas to return to their homes, Bangladeshi Additional Foreign Secretary Kamrul Ahsan told reporters after summoning Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Myint Ahasan to his ministry. Ahsan said he handed the envoy a diplomatic letter conveying Bangladeshs concern about the new influx of Rohingya Muslims into Teknaf and Ukhia, two sub-districts in Coxs Bazar. We have told them that [Rohingya] are sneaking into Bangladesh, Col. Khandker Farid Hasan, the southeast commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), told reporters in Coxs Bazar after a meeting with a 31-member delegation representing Myanmars frontier police. They informed us that they were also aware of this. We, the two parties, discussed ways to stop such illegal entry, he said, noting that the two sides had agreed to cooperate in sharing information about cross-border movements of Rohingya. The ambassador and members of the border-guard delegation from Myanmar did not talk to Bangladeshi media afterward. The comments by Bangladeshi officials were the governments first admission that Rohingya had succeeded in crossing into southeastern Bangladesh amid a crackdown by Myanmar authorities that followed the early October killings of nine Myanmar police officers during attacks on border posts in Rakhines Muangdaw township. At least 86 people have been killed and more than 30,000 displaced by the violence in Rakhine, the worst outbreak since hundreds were killed in inter-communal violence in 2012, which caused thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, Reuters reported Wednesday. Last week, Bangladeshi officials said they had sealed the border and pushed back hundreds of Rohingya who were seeking refuge in Bangladesh. On Wednesday, Abdul Majid, the officer-in-charge of police in Teknaf, told BenarNews,an RFA-affiliated online news service, that the border guard and coast guard had transferred 70 Rohingya and four human smugglers into police custody after they were caught crossing the frontier. They will obliterate us Hundreds of Rohingya have made it over to the Bangladeshi side while others are still waiting to cross the frontier along the Naaf River that separates Rakhine from Coxs Bazar, according to news reports and eyewitness accounts this week. Md Ayub, a Rohingya who succeeded in crossing the river, said he had fled Rakhine to save himself. From here, I can see our village burning. Allah knows what happened to my wife, daughter, mother and others. Please save us. They will obliterate us, he told BenarNews by phone. Ayub said the Myanmar security forces set fire to villages along the Naaf River to force Rohingya to sail into Bangladesh territory. Hundreds of Rohingya have been waiting to cross into Bangladesh. They have no way to save lives, he said. Earlier this week, New York-based Human Rights Watch reported that an analysis of satellite imagery showed that 820 additional structures had been destroyed in five Rohingya villages between Nov. 10 and 18, bringing the total number of burned buildings that HRW claims to have documented in Rakhine to 1,250. On Nov. 16, a spokesman for Myanmars government refuted HRW allegations that 430 buildings in three Rohingya villages had been burned, saying the actual number was 155 and militants had committed the arson. The Rohingya are a stateless people who have suffered from persecution in Myanmar, where they are considered to be Bengalis, or illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. About 300,000 to 500,000 Rohingya are thought to live in Bangladesh, mostly in Coxs Bazar district, according to Bangladeshi government estimates. At least 1,000 Rohingya have entered into Bangladesh; many of them have taken shelter inside the refugee camps, a resident of a Rohingya camp in Ukhita told BenarNews on the condition of anonymity, referring to the latest influx. Reported by Kamran Reza Chowdhury for BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Myanmar refugees who fled their homes in northern Shan state during armed clashes on Nov. 20-22 huddle in a shelter in Muse township, Nov. 23, 2016. Residents of a Myanmar border town who fled to China to escape fighting between four ethnic armed groups and the government military in northern Shan state are returning home at the urging of authorities trying to restore stability in the area, town administrators and local residents said Wednesday. About 3,000 Myanmar citizens fled across the border after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) staged a coordinated attack on military outposts, police stations, and a trade center in Muse and Kutkai townships. Ten people were killed and 33 others were injured during fighting on Nov. 20-22. About 700 people came back to Muse yesterday, and 106 others have returned home today because the situation where they live is becoming stable, said Sai Khein Kham, a Muse district administration department official. All markets and shops have reopened, and banks are open half a day, according to department officials. As of Wednesday, about 3,700 people displaced by the hostilities remained in Muse, which sits on the Shweli River across from Ruili in southwestern Chinas Yunnan province, they said. Government soldiers and local militias are overseeing security in the town, they said. Still afraid Some local residents report that the fighting has not ended. We have heard the sound of opening fire every 10 minutes since yesterday, but not the direct fighting, said a Myanmar man who had fled into Chinese territory. The displaced persons staying in Muse said they are concerned about the stability of the situation there. One woman said she feared that soldiers would force her sons to become their porters as long as her family remained in the town. I am worried only for my two adult sons that they not be taken to be porters, Ma Aye Khine told RFAs Myanmar Service. Another woman, Than Nyunt, said she wants to return home but fears getting caught up in the clashes. I dont want to be here because my health is not good; I had a stroke, she said. I left my home because I was very afraid of being affected by the fighting. Meanwhile, local authorities are continuing to encourage residents not to abandon homes over rumors of an attack. Zaw Min, an administrative official in Muse, said the towns general administrative department will announce any further news about the situation and work with other departments on security matters if need be. Because of rumors, people are fleeing their homes, he said. Because there is no one at home, the houses can be burglarized and burned. Thats why we have requested that people not leave home. The towns security is becoming stable. Call to sign NCA The hostilities prompted State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to issue a written appeal on Wednesday urging the ethnic militias in the northern part of Shan state to sign the governments nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA). Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader, has made peace and national reconciliation the main goal of the civilian National League for Democracy government. Eight ethnic armed groups signed the accord in October 2015, but the AA, MMNDA and TNLA were excluded because of their ongoing clashes with the army. In order to immediately end the armed conflicts in northeast Shan state, I strongly urge the armed groups to join the governments peace process by signing the NCA, Aung San Suu Kyi wrote in her capacity as chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center. She also encouraged the rebel groups to work with civil society to find ways to strengthen the monitoring mechanism that will ensure that the cease-fire accord is not violated, work towards the countrys goal of peace, and cooperate with stakeholders to take part on equal terms in the next round of the governments peace talks in February 2017. China, which has provided shelter and medical services to those who have fled across the border in recent days, said on Tuesday that it will continue to support Myanmars peace process. The Kachin Independence organization, the political wing of the KIA, said Wednesday that the recent fighting in Shan state was a limited war that was not meant to derail the governments efforts to achieve national reconciliation. A statement issued by the KIO said the KIA, MNDAA, TNLA and AA have engaged in the limited war in response to offensives by national army soldiers. The KIO also said it will be very careful not to harm the interests of the people with the new hostilities. Reported by Kan Tha, Ye Htet, and Aung Thein Kha for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. The location where three Uyghur men were arrested near the Sultan Chusku Glacier in the Ladakh region of Kashmir in June 2013. UPDATED at 3:25 P.M. EST on 2016-11-23 India is set to send back to China three Uyghurs who were jailed in 2013 for illegal entry and espionage, almost two years after they completed Indian court-ordered prison terms, documents show. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided in May to deport Abdul Khaliq, Abdul Salam and Adil to China, although their petition seeking asylum in India was pending before a court in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, according to official documents accessed by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The three were arrested by the army near the Sultan Chusku Glacier in the Ladakh region of Kashmir, whose northeastern corner borders Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in June 2013. They were convicted of illegally entering India and espionage, and jailed for 18 months. But after completing their sentences in January 2015, they have remained locked up in a prison in Leh district under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA). The act allows for detention without trial for up to two years. State officials said they only recently received directions from the ministry to arrange for the trios deportation. The process of preparing travel documents for the three Uyghurs has begun and they will be sent back to China very soon, Ravinder Raina, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which belongs to the ruling coalition in Kashmir, told BenarNews on Tuesday. They had entered the Indian territory with an intention to spy and pass on information to security agencies in China. They are a threat to national security, Raina said. On Nov. 11, the state government requested that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court dismiss the trios petition for asylum in India, he said. Fear of China The three Uyghurs have consistently denied charges of spying for the Chinese government, and have maintained that they entered India to escape persecution in China. According to their petition for asylum submitted in court, they said they feared being prosecuted or even executed if sent back to their native country. The Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in China largely concentrated in Xinjiang, have been fleeing to other countries to escape Chinese repression. The authorities there consider them to be separatists and terrorists, and have cracked down on their religion and culture. The Turkic-speaking minority is also spread across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. The petition states that the three will face charges for crossing into another country and there is a high risk that the petitioners will be tortured upon their return to China. In addition, they will face the prospect of life imprisonment or a death sentence, according to the petition. Indias MHA, however, had decided to deport Khaliq, Salam and Adil before the court heard the trios plea for refuge. In a letter dated May 17, the MHA wrote to the Jammu and Kashmir state government: ... it has been decided to deport/repatriate three Chinese nationals Adil, Khaliq and Abdul Salam, R/O Xinjiang, China (Uyghur), presently lodged in district jail Leh to their native country. You are, therefore, requested to complete the deportation of the above China (Uyghur) nationals in consultation with [the] Ministry of External Affairs (East Asia Division) for issuance of travel documents for deportation to their native country at the earliest provided there is no other court case pending against them and they are not required in any other case. Right to be heard Rights activists have come out in support of the three men, saying they should be given a fair hearing. India should respect the international law that aims to safeguard the interests of refugees and give them the right to be heard. It should also extend them the right to access a counsel before taking an irretrievable decision, V. Suresh of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, a New Delhi-based human rights organization, told BenarNews. China has no respect for issues faced by Uyghurs and there is a possibility of insecurity to their lives if they are deported. Nobody can say with [a] guarantee if they were spying for China, but India should respect the aspect of international law, which allows them certain protection, he said. Ahsan Untoo, chairman of the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, said Indian authorities had no valid reason to keep the Uyghurs in prison for two years after they had finished their sentences. [T]hey are still languishing in prison under the PSA. And they are only being deported now because they cant be kept in prison any longer. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are blatantly misusing the PSA, Untoo told BenarNews. Uyghur activists echoed the criticism of India's decision. "So far the ones who were deported back to China met with worse consequences. And the international community knows about it," said Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, a diaspora organization. "In this kind of situation if India deports these Uyghurs back to China, their consequence will be even worse," he told RFA's Uyghur Service. Omer Uyghur founder of Omer Uyghur fund, a Pakistan based Uyghur organization, urged world rights activists "to pay attention to our situation." "They have to take this issue seriously. If these Uyghurs are deported back to China and get killed, how it does look in the world?" he told RFA. "Pakistan has deported a lot of Uyghurs, but we hope that India would not make this same kind of mistake. But they are about to do the same. If they are deported back to China, they too will be disappeared," added Omer Uyghur.. But Indian state authorities defended the trios ongoing detention. Any person who enters India with anti-national intention or commits an act that can be a threat to national security can lawfully be held for two years under the PSA. We will now complete all necessary formalities and deport them to China at the earliest, Prasanna Ramaswamy, Leh districts Deputy Commissioner, told BenarNews. Reported by Amin Masoodi for BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, and by Jilil Kashgary for RFA's Uyghur Service. Uyghur comments translated by Mamatjan Juma. MAHILEU, Belarus -- Police in the eastern Belarusian city of Mahileu have detained two teenagers suspected of desecrating a monument that honors victims of the Holocaust. Alyaksey Kaplan, the chairman of the Directorate of the Jewish Community in Mahileu, told RFE/RL that police informed him on November 23 that two "skinheads" were detained and two other suspects were being sought. The suspects face hooliganism charges. Local authorities in Mahileu said on November 21 that unknown perpetrators had poured black paint on the memorial stone during the weekend. The stone marks the site of the Jewish ghetto in Mahileu during the occupation of the town by Nazi Germany in World War II. In October and November 1941, troops from Nazi Germany killed more than 10,000 Jews at the site. In June 2012, vandals poured brown paint on the same stone. The perpetrators were never found. Three years ago this week, a nation rose up and demanded a better life. Three years ago this week, a middle class revolution commenced. Three years ago this week, the Euromaidan was born. And it's worth remembering the Euro part. Because the popular uprising that eventually overthrew the corrupt and autocratic regime of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych was driven by a desire to be part of Europe. It was an uprising in support of European values. And it is also worth remembering that the more than 100 protesters who were killed during the Euromaidan, died for the values of Europe. They became the first people in history to die for the idea of the European Union. And it's worth remembering that the power and magnetic pull of this European idea was deeply and profoundly threatening to Vladimir Putin's autocratic and kleptocratic regime. So threatening, it appears, that the Kremlin decided that it needed to be destroyed -- first in Ukraine and then in Europe itself. In the wake of the Euromaidan, Moscow launched one type of hybrid war aimed at paralyzing and destabilizing Ukraine -- sending little green men to annex Crimea and to wreak havoc in the Donbas. And it launched another kind of hybrid war in Europe -- weaponizing information and the democratic process to bring xenophobes and Euroskeptics to the brink of power. Three years ago European values were on the march in Ukraine. Today, they're in retreat -- in Europe. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. NOTE TO POWER VERTICAL READERS/LISTENERS/VIEWERS: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday this week and my traveling to a conference next week, all Power Vertical products will take a hiatus until Wednesday, November 30. The Daily Vertical will next appear on Wednesday, November 30, The Power Vertical Podcast will next appear on Friday, December 2, and the Power Vertical Briefing will next appear on Monday, December 5. The European Parliament has warned that "hostile propaganda" by Russia against the EU is growing, while urging member states to increase their efforts to counter disinformation. The move drew an angry response from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who lashed out at the European Parliament for lecturing Russia on democracy. Lawmakers voted on November 23 in favor of a motion condemning Russian state media outlets like the television channel RT and the news agency Sputnik for disseminating "absolutely fake" news. They said the Kremlin was using "a wide range of tools and instruments", including think tanks, multilingual TV stations, "pseudo news agencies", and social media to spread fake information, challenge democratic values, and divide Europe. The resolution says the Kremlin has stepped up its propaganda efforts against the EU since Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea territory in 2014. Lawmakers urged the European Union to boost its "tiny" communication force and invest more in "awareness raising, education, online and local media, investigative journalism, and information literacy." They said they were "seriously concerned by the rapid expansion of Kremlin-inspired activities in Europe, including disinformation and propaganda seeking to maintain or increase Russia's influence to weaken and split the EU." Putin told reporters in Moscow that the resolution signaled a "political degradation of democratic ideas in Western society." The motion was approved by 304 votes to 179, with 208 abstentions. The EU Parliament also warned against propaganda from the extremist group Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda, and other nonstate actors. Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters A 34-year-old Georgian transgender woman has died in a Tbilisi clinic after succumbing to injuries inflicted on her during an assault in October. Zizi (formerly Zurab) Shekeladze was hit several times by a concrete bar and her throat was slashed by a blade several times in the Georgian capital on October 14. She had been hospitalized since then. A man suspected in the attack, Giorgi Murjikneli, was arrested and charged with attempted murder on October 15. A preliminary hearing into his case is scheduled for early December. LGBT rights defenders in Georgia have demanded the suspect be charged with a "hate crime." Although homosexuality and gender-change are legal in Georgia, society's view of the LGBT minority remains negative. In 2013, Georgian LGBT activists were severely beaten up in Tbilisi after trying to hold a rally against homophobia. Based on reporting by Apsny.ge and 1tv.ge Pakistani officials say at least nine civilians have been killed by an artillery shell fired from Indian-administered Kashmir that hit a passenger bus in the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed region. The bus was travelling in the town of Lawat in the Nellam Valley to the northeast of Muzaffarabad when it was struck by the shell on November 23. Two other civilians also were killed by a shell in the barrage that struck their home in a village near Kashmir's de facto border. Pakistani officials say at least 11 people were also wounded by the artillery attack. Pakistan's army said its troops on November 23 were firing back against Indian military positions in the area, which is in the upper belt of the valley straddling Kashmir's de facto border. An Indian military spokesman said Pakistan's army initiated "indiscriminate" fire on Indian army posts nearby. Pakistan and India have recently been trading fire across the line of control that divides Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed countries. Tensions have intensified since militants attacked an Indian army base in Kashmir in September. India alleges the militants were supported by Pakistan, but Islamabad denies the charges. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Mohammad Nayeb-Zehi was among the hundreds of worshippers who gathered on September 30 at the Great Mosalla, a religious site in Iran's southeastern city of Zahedan, for Friday Prayers. Just hours later, the 16-year-old's family learned he was dead. Nayeb-Zehi was among the scores of people gunned down by security forces in a brutal crackdown following anti-government protests in Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchistan Province, which is home to the country's Baluch minority. "He was a simple laborer and not political," Nayeb-Zehi's brother, Ahmad, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda in a telephone interview from Zahedan, adding that his sibling had been shot in the heart. "We're in pain, and we cannot accept it." The crackdown in Zahedan came amid weeks-long nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died on September 16, days after she was detained by Iran's morality police. In Sistan-Baluchistan, public anger at the authorities escalated amid reports that a 15-year-old Baluch girl had been raped by a police official in the province's southern port city of Chabahar. The violence erupted soon after protesters gathered outside a police station near the central mosque in Zahedan. Members of the crowd chanted anti-government slogans, and some threw rocks. Security forces responded with deadly force by firing on the crowd from the station, according to witnesses. Security forces also raided the central mosque and the nearby Great Mosalla and opened fire on worshippers using live ammunition, rights groups said, adding that many were shot in the head, heart, neck, or torso, revealing a clear intent to kill or seriously wound. At least 94 people were killed and 350 wounded on that day, referred to as "Bloody Friday," according to the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. At least 13 minors were among those killed, including Nayeb-Zehi. The victims were overwhelmingly Baluch -- a mostly Sunni ethnic group that has long faced disproportionate discrimination at the hands of the Iranian authorities. "He was martyred inside the Mosalla while holding his prayer mat," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi. Nayeb-Zehi's family first visited Zahedan's Khatam al-Anbia hospital, hoping he was among the wounded. They later found his body in a seminary at the Great Mosalla. "We entered a room there and saw about 10 bodies," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi. "[Mohammad] was among them." He said the authorities prevented the family from filming the scene. "I told them this has to be documented, it has to be published by international media," he said, adding that footage later emerged on social media showing the gruesome scene at the seminary. The family refused to send Nayeb-Zehi's body to the morgue. Instead, his body lay in the living room for around 24 hours before he was buried. "We said he was martyred and there was no need for an autopsy," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi. The authorities accused Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group, of attacking the police station. The group is recognized as a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States and has previously claimed deadly attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan targeting Iranian security forces. But local and independent sources have rejected the authorities' claims. The authorities have also reported a much lower number of fatalities, announcing that only 19 people, including several members of the security forces, were killed. Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi said the authorities were "rubbing salt into the wounds of the people" by claiming "terrorists" were involved. He said he witnessed a military helicopter shooting at civilians near the Great Mosalla. "I haven't even seen such scenes in Hollywood movies," he said. "A helicopter was shooting at people. A lady was shot in front of my eyes." RFE/RL could not verify his account. But activists have accused security forces of shooting at protestors from helicopters. "I don't know what the intention of this crime was," he said. "Our only demand from the establishment is for the murderers of our [family members] to be punished." The killings have led to widespread anger in Sistan-Baluchistan, one of Iran's poorest provinces. Anti-establishment protests have been reported in Zahedan since the crackdown, including on October 14 and October 21, when protesters took to the streets after Friday Prayers and chanted "Death to the dictator." During his Friday Prayers sermon on October 21, influential Sunni cleric Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi said senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were "responsible" for the September 30 killings. "We are surprised by the silence of the high-ranking officials," he said in his sermon, which was posted on his website. "Scores were killed here without any reason. I don't have the exact number. Some have reported 90, some say less, some say more," Ismaeelzahi added. He also said people will not be satisfied until "those who killed the people" are brought to justice. The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center said the events of September 30 amounted to "a massacre of protesters by security forces." "The government's total denial of responsibility for the massacring of citizens by its security apparatus is consistent with similar past denials and is evidence that internal calls for investigation of such crimes are insufficient," said the rights group, which documents human rights violations in Iran. Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militia fighters say they have completed the encirclement of the Islamic State (IS) stronghold of Mosul -- cutting off militants in the northern Iraqi city from the rest of the country and from Syria. An umbrella group that brings together pro-government Shi'ite militia groups said their advance on the west side of Mosul linked up with the positions of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters on November 23. Peshmerga, government troops, and allied Sunni Arab tribes already hold positions on the northern and southern outskirts of Mosul, while government forces have been slowly advancing within the city's eastern districts. Meanwhile, Iraq's military said a U.S.-led coalition air strike early on November 23 "disabled" a fourth bridge across the Tigris River within Mosul. That leaves IS militants with only one bridge to use for its supply lines between the two halves of the city. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP A parliamentary deputy in Kazakhstan has proposed that the country's capital, Astana, should be renamed to honor longtime President Nursultan Nazarbaev. The suggestion was proposed on November 23 at a joint session of parliament by Quanysh Sultanov, a deputy in the Mazhilis, the assembly's lower chamber. Sultanov said Astana could be renamed either as Nursultan or as Nazarbaev. Information Minister Dauren Abaev said any final decision on renaming Astana would be made by Nazarbaev himself, but could require a constitutional amendment. Mazhilis deputy Vladislav Kosarev said that, if Nazarbaev agrees to the name change, an ad hoc commission would be formed to study the issue. The 76-year-old Nazarbaev was Kazakhstan's last Soviet-era leader and has continued to rule the country since it declared independence in 1991. Exempted from laws that limit presidential terms, he was last elected in April 2015 with 98 percent of the vote. In 2010, Nazarbaev was bestowed by lawmakers with the title Leader of the Nation. Kazakhstan's government moved the capital from the countrys largest city, Almaty, to Astana in 1997. With reporting by Interfax and TASS If Kazakh lawmakers get their wish, the country's capital will be renamed to immortalize its first president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, and the long-standing leader's name will live on at other worthy sites as well. The suggestion to rename Astana was buried in a declaration unanimously passed by both chambers of parliament on November 23. On the surface, the declaration approved in the joint session was to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence. But reading past the tributes to Nazarbaev's "outstanding service" to the nation, the declaration's very last paragraph called for renaming "the capital and other important facilities across the country" after the first and only president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Making that call a reality is a decision that rests with the 76-year-old president himself, Interfax quoted Constitutional Council head Igor Rogov as saying on the sidelines of the parliamentary session. Rogov told reporters that Nazarbaev could either call a referendum to let the people decide, or send the matter to parliament for debate. "I cannot say whether the president will make such a decision or not," Rogov added. There was no immediate reaction from the office of Nazarbaev, who has ruled Kazakhstan since 1989 -- first as Communist Party boss and after independence in 1991 as president. But lawmaker Kuanish Sultanov said he expected the president to respond to the initiative within weeks. And another parliament deputy, Pavel Kazantsev, told reporters he expected the capital to have a new name by the end of the year. Great Respect, Or Personality Cult? Initiatives intended to cement Nazarbaev's legacy are not uncommon in Kazakhstan. In 2010, the Kazakh parliament bestowed the title of "elbasy," or leader of the nation, upon Nazarbaev, granting him and his family lifelong immunity from any civic or criminal prosecution. While Nazarbaev formally opposed the bill, it automatically became law under a legal clause pertaining to the work of the legislature. Just days before the passage of the declaration, the country introduced a new 10,000-tenge banknote that features Nazarbaev's image. The banknote will go into circulation on December 1, just two weeks before the country celebrates Independence Day on December 16. Some see the great deal of attention paid to Nazarbaev as a sign of the president's popularity, while others believe a personality cult is being developed. Dauren Abaev, a former Nazarbaev spokesman and adviser who currently serves as information and communication minister, disputed the latter notion, and told reporters that the president, "as always, will make a very sensible decision regarding this matter." It is not clear what names might be considered for the capital. "Nursultan" has become one of the most popular names for baby boys in Kazakhstan in recent years, and according to official statistics, the president as of 2015 had more than 38,000 namesakes across the country. "Nazarbaev" or "Elbasy" would also be possibilities. Astana has been renamed several times since it was founded in 1830 as the settlement of Akmoly. Two years later it became the town of Akmolinsk. Under communism it was renamed Tselinograd in 1961, then, shortly after Kazakhstan gained independence, to Akmola in 1992. In December 1997, the Kazakh government made the city the capital of the country, replacing Almaty. In May 1998 the government renamed it Astana, a Kazakh word that means "the capital." The Czech Justice Ministry says that both the United States and Russia have requested the extradition of Yevgeny Nikulin -- a 29-year-old Russian citizen who was arrested in Prague on U.S. charges of hacking and data theft. A Justice Ministry spokesperson told the CTK news agency on November 23 that both requests would be studied by the ministry before they are referred to a Czech court. Czech police arrested Nikulin on October 5 at the request of the United States on allegations that he hacked into the databases of internet companies, such as Linked in, Dropbox, and Formspring. Nikulin faces multiple charges in the United States, including computer intrusion, aggravated identity theft, and data theft. Russian officials previously said they were working to prevent Nikulin's extradition to the United States. Based on reporting by Reuters and CTK A Pakistani antiterrorism court has sentenced five people to death in connection with the killing of a Christian couple by a mob after they were falsely accused of blasphemy. The couple, Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi, were beaten and then set on fire by an angry mob at a brick kiln in Punjab Province in 2014. The rulings represent a rare victory for the much-maligned Christian community in Pakistan, where the authorities have previously been hesitant to clamp down on mob violence for fear of angering powerful Islamist groups. The antiterrorism court in Lahore on November 23 also sentenced eight other people to two years in prison for their part in the killing. The court also acquitted 93 suspects in the case. "The five people awarded the death sentence were involved in dragging, beating, and burning the couple, while the other eight played a supportive role, according to the judgement," said Riaz Anjum, the lawyer representing the couple's family. It was not clear when the death sentences would be carried out. Blasphemy Laws Under Fire The brutal, deadly attack on the couple prompted outrage in Pakistan, shedding light on the plight of Christians, who make up less than 2 percent of the conservative Islamic country's population of 170 million. The killings also triggered international criticism of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which were introduced in the 1980s. Blasphemy is legally punishable by death in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations can prompt mob violence. Rights activists have urged Pakistan to repeal the legislation, arguing that it's commonly used to settle personal disputes, often against Christians. Masih and Bibi were falsely accused by the mob of desecrating the Koran by throwing away pages of the Islamic holy book along with the trash. An angry mob of hundreds of people set upon the couple near the town of Kot Radha Kishan in Punjab, beating them and then throwing their bodies into a brick kiln. After the attack, it emerged that the couple had been falsely accused. Shahzad's father, a faith healer who used pages with inscriptions in many languages for his work, had died shortly before the incident. The family was burning documents that belonged to him. It is unclear whether they were still alive when tossed into the kiln. Mob Justice At least 1,481 people in Pakistan were charged for blasphemy between 1987 and 2015, according to the National Commission for Justice and Peace. At least nine people accused of blasphemy were given death sentences, and another three received life imprisonment between 2010 and 2015. In August, the U.S. State Department released a report raising concerns over laws against blasphemy in Pakistan. The laws "have often been used as justification for mob justice," the report said. Christians have regularly accused the government of discrimination and of failing to protect them against attacks. In March, a Pakistani Taliban splinter group claimed responsibility for a bombing in a Christian neighborhood in the eastern city of Lahore that left more than 70 people dead and around 300 wounded. With reporting by Dawn, AFP, and Geo TV A Russian hacker who was convicted for his leading role in one of the largest data thefts in U.S. history has been released from prison after serving most of his 12-year sentence. Vladimir Drinkman was released from a Pennsylvania jail on October 28, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons told RFE/RL. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond to an RFE/RL request for comment on whether Drinkman had been turned over for deportation, a process that can take up to several months. Drinkman's lawyer, Igor Litvak, declined to comment. RFE/RL could not immediately reach Drinkman. Drinkman was a key member of a criminal hacking group that penetrated major U.S. corporations, including Heartland Payment Systems, which at the time it was breached in 2008 was one of the biggest U.S. payment-processing firms. The Heartland attack -- the largest breach in history at the time -- cost the payment company more than $200 million in losses. Varonis, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm, ranks the attack on Heartland among the 10 largest data breaches of all time. Chuck Brooks, a cybersecurity expert and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, said the Heartland hack was a "wake-up call" for the payments and financial industries to enhance their cyberdefenses. He said the breach led to stronger security policies, including a better understanding by CEOs and CFOs of the threats to business sustainability and reputation. "After the breach, many companies added more stringent data and security policies, including encryption, multifactor authentication, and monitoring of systems and networks," Brooks told RFE/RL. Heartland also later established the Payments Processing Information Sharing Council (PPISC), which serves as a forum for banks and payment processors to share information about breaches and compliance issues, he noted. In addition to breaking into Heartland, the hacking gang also breached Nasdaq OMX Group, 7-Eleven, JC Penney, JetBlue Airways, and others, according to prosecutors. In total, they stole the data of more than 160 million credit cards, leading to more than $300 million in damages. Greg Hunter, a Virginia-based lawyer who has represented cybercriminals from the former Soviet Union, said the Heartland case demonstrated the sophisticated evolution of Russian-speaking hackers. "This was the beginning of specialization," Hunter told RFE/RL. "Rather than an individual hacker spending a lot of time stealing credit card data and then trying to monetize it, you had guys specializing in breaching the security apparatus of a site, others selling the data." The appearance of hacker forums was critical to the phenomenon of a division of labor, he said. Hacker sites "allowed these guys to find each other and work together. A guy who breaches banks could just focus on that, knowing he could find others to either help him know what to get and how to use it, or just buy his services outright," Hunter said. Several of the most commonly used forums where hackers bought and sold stolen credit card data and traded tips included Cardplanet and Direct Connection. A Russian man, Aleksei Burkov, was extradited from Israel to the United States and later pleaded guilty in 2020 to U.S. charges related to his oversight of those forums. He was deported to Russia last year. According to U.S. court filings, Drinkman and another co-conspirator, Alexandr Kalinin, specialized in penetrating network security and gaining access to the corporate data systems. Drinkman along with a third man, Roman Kotov, also focused on mining the networks to steal valuable data. Another Russian man, Dmitry Smilyanets, then sold the stolen credit card information on forums for $10 to $50 each and distributed the proceeds of the scheme to the others, according to prosecutors. Kalinin and Kotov, both of whom are Russian citizens, are believed to still be in Russia. Drinkman was arrested in the Netherlands in June 2012 at the request of the United States, along with Smilyanets. While Smilyanets cooperated with U.S. authorities and arrived in the United States a few months after his arrest, Drinkman fought his extradition for more than a year. Ultimately, Drinkman pleaded guilty in 2015 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, including time served since his arrest. It is one of the harshest sentences given to a Russian hacker. Drinkman served a total of 10 years and four months, or 86 percent of his sentence. U.S. federal prisoners earn credit each year for good behavior and typically serve 85 percent of their sentence. Smilyanets was sentenced to just time served, or less than six years, and currently resides in the United States, where he works as a cyberthreat intelligence analyst. He declined to comment when contacted by RFE/RL. The United Nations chief has called on Russia and the United States to resume talks to reduce their massive nuclear arsenals. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made the call in a lecture at New York University on November 22. The likelihood of Moscow and Washington opening new talks to cut their nuclear weapons stockpiles is highly unlikely given the increasing tensions between the two countries. "The Russian Federation and the United States, which together hold the largest nuclear potential --I'm guessing, 95 percent of the world's declared atomic weapons are located in these two countries -- should resume a genuine dialogue to cut all types of nuclear weapons," he said. The New START treaty obligates the two sides to cut their deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550, as well as cuts to deployed and non-deployed strategic delivery vehicles and launchers by 2018. The U.S. stockpile is well below that limit, but there's growing unease among some U.S. defense experts that Russia has no intention of meeting that goal. Based on reporting by TASS and RIA-Novosti Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. From left to right: Chief of Narragansett Police Sean Corrigan, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Peter F. Neronha, Narragansett Prevention Partnership Coordinator Nancy DeNuccio, South Kingstown Prevention Partnership Coordinator Heidi Driscoll and South Kingstown Police Captain Joel Ewing-Chow attended a panel on opioid abuse prevention at the South Kingstown senior center on Monday. 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. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. US commerce secretary says regardless of who's president, we still need to trade U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said Tuesday that the United States needs to trade regardless of who is president and that she looks forward to seeing how that's pursued in President-elect Donald Trump 's administration. "Regardless of administration, there's a recognition that we need to trade with other countries," she told CNBC's " Power Lunch ." Trump has consistently bashed the Obama administration-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership and the North American Free Trade Agreement, passed during former President Bill Clinton's administration. He blames the deals for economic struggles in pockets of the country and has pledged to cancel the TPP when he enters office. Pritzker touted the benefits of the TPP, saying it would reduce tariffs for American companies to sell their goods in the Asia-Pacific region. Pritzker said she pursued trade agreements during her tenure as commerce secretary so her administration can shape how the U.S. trades with other countries. She said she aims for policies that are consistent with American values and wants to provide opportunities for American workers. She said she also looks to protect the environment and to ensure that the country's small- and medium-sized businesses have more access to the rest of the world. When asked about Trump facing possible conflicts of interest as president, Pritzker said she could only speak from her personal experience. She resigned from the board of Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H), which her family founded in 1957 and continues to own. She also resigned from the board of her family foundation. More From CNBC Fake news on social media has gotten so bad that it threatens democracy itself, according to President Obama and a host of other deep thinkers. Why, a recent study by Buzzfeed concludes that fake news beat out real news during the past three months of the election. And we all know how that turned out. There are at least two problems with this. First, the epidemic of fake news is overstated. Second, fake news is far from new. The Washington Examiners Tim Carney took the trouble to look beyond the headline about the Buzzfeed analysis. Turns out the analysis was not at all rigorous. It compared only the Facebook engagement metrics the number of shares, reactions, and comments for a small handful of stories. The top fake story about Pope Francis endorsing Donald Trump got 960,000 engagements. The top real story, comparing Trumps level of corruption to Clintons, got 849,000 engagements. If Facebook were the only source for news, that could be alarming although its worth noting that engagement does not equal acceptance. How many of the comments on the Pope Francis story amounted to Yeah, right!? But Facebook isnt the only source of news. Consider: The pope story comes from EndtheFed.org. According to Alexa, which monitors internet traffic, EndtheFed.org is the 2,488,992nd most popular website in the world. In the U.S. alone, more than 363,000 websites are more popular. Compare that to The Washington Post, which is the source for Facebooks second-most-engaged story. It ranks 195th in the world and 40th in the United States. In one month, The Post can rack up 770 million page views. Last October it had seven stories that topped more than 1 million page views each. So: Fake News Beats Real News turns out to be ... fake news. In any event, the concern-trolling about fake news likely has more to do with the fact that Trump won and the top five fake-news stories cited by Buzzfeed all were slanted heavily against Hillary Clinton. This has led to some hand-wringing in the media, which is a bit rich. Most of the media despise Trump, for a simple reason: Much about him is despicable. Yet the hands being wrung in this case are far from clean. If the fake-news epidemic were real, then Patient Zero wouldnt be Facebook, it would be The New York Times. The Times record for disseminating agitprop dates back at least to the early 1930s, when Walter Duranty won a Pulitzer for his reporting that denied the existence of famines in Soviet Russia during a period when millions were dying of starvation. More recently, The Times has given the nation the Jayson Blair fabrications which it followed up with the infamous 2004 story, Memos on Bush Are Fake But Accurate, Typist Says. It followed that up four years later with a story implying that GOP presidential candidate John McCain had had an affair with a lobbyist. (The lobbyist sued, and reached a settlement with the paper.) Over the years other pillars of the media also have fallen on their faces. NBC news had to confess that it rigged GM trucks with incendiary devices for an explosive Dateline segment. The Washington Post gave up a Pulitzer after learning that Janet Cookes reporting about an 8-year-old heroin addict was false. In 1998 the Cincinnati Enquirer renounced its own series alleging dark doings by the Chiquita banana company. That same year, CNN retracted its story alleging that the U.S. military used nerve gas in a mission to kill American defectors in Laos during the Vietnam War. The San Jose Mercury News had to denounce its own series alleging that the CIA was to blame for the crack cocaine epidemic. Rolling Stone just got hit with a big libel judgment for its now-retracted story about a rape at U.Va. And so on. Then there are the broader deceptions, such as the wide reporting on a church-burning epidemic a rash of racially motivated arsons targeting black churches in the 1990s. There was just one problem: It was mostly false. Many of the fires were accidental, and those that were not were often started by African-Americans. Made a heck of a story, though. More recently, many news organizations attacked Mitt Romneys claims that the Obama administration had gutted welfare reform. The claim was backed by lots (and lots) of evidence, but media types were not content to call it debatable; they insisted it had been debunked because thats what the Obama White House insisted. Oh and many news outlets also reported Buzzfeeds misleading story about fake news. Kind of ironic, that. To be fair, professional news organizations that discover flaws in their own reporting admit the mistakes in public and do whatever they can to correct the record. That sometimes entails exhaustive forensic investigations into suspect articles, with full disclosure of the results. Purveyors of fake news, obviously, do nothing of the sort. Senior Home New York University (NYU), a private university located in Manhattan, has unveiled a pilot program plan to save college students on housing. Deemed the "home stay" program, students would live in the spare bedrooms of local senior citizens and would cut their roughly $14,000-per-year housing bill in half, The New York Post reported. The plan seems to be a common-sense solution to living in the most expensive city in the world in terms of student accommodation. Other students, such as Gallatin junior Maddie Perlmutter, believe that there is still more to be done to aid students struggling with housing costs. "Housing is and has been an issue for NYU students, and I believe that this could possibly remedy it for some people but, I dont think that it will make a very large impact," Perlmutter, a student in NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, told the Washington Square News. "The committee must continue seeking widespread alternatives to lower costs in the residence halls, the option most used by the NYU student population," she continued to the News, the student newspaper of NYU. In addition to students saving money, the seniors involved would also get additional money from the agreement. Other universities around the nation, like the University of Illinois, have also rolled out similar experiments to some success. "I lived with roommates my own age, and it wasnt a positive living experience, Christina Larson, a student at the Illinois, told The Post. "Here everyone gets along. We watch a lot of 'Star Trek' together. Everyone is really laid back. The most important job I have is grocery shopping." NOW WATCH: This is exactly what a hiring manager scans for when reviewing resumes More From Business Insider A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. An 86-year-old resident of a Chesterfield County assisted-living facility has been charged with fatally injuring a 92-year-old fellow resident in an alleged assault in the victims room. Edward B. Huff whose attorney said suffers from an acute case of Alzheimers was arrested Nov. 14 and charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Delora Arnold, who died after Huff allegedly assaulted her on Oct. 27. Both lived at Elmcroft of Chesterfield, an assisted-living facility. Chesterfield police Capt. Gerald Netherland said officers responded to the facility at 8:08 a.m. for a reported assault. Responding officers located Arnold, who had been assaulted in her room. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where she died Oct. 29 from her injuries, Netherland said. Netherland said the facilitys staff reported hearing a commotion and when they went to investigate, they discovered Arnold had been assaulted and called police. Netherland said that police charged Huff after a thorough investigation that included consultation with the Chesterfield commonwealths attorneys office. Police declined to describe the circumstances that led to the assault and Arnolds death. The state medical examiners office has ruled Arnolds death a homicide from blunt-force trauma to the neck and chest. Mr. Edward Huff is a divinely wonderful man who had led an exemplary life, said attorney Jud Collier, who is representing Huff. And he unfortunately does suffer from severe, acute Alzheimers. Collier said at this early stage of the case, he has not yet been advised of the substance of the allegations against his client. But however this may have occurred, we have the utmost and sincere sympathies for the family of the deceased lady, Collier added. Huffs daughter expressed similar sentiments. Were trying to take care of my dad, said Lisa Huff Richardson of Powhatan County. He has severe Alzheimers and is in a facility thats taking care of him. We feel horrible, horrible for the other family. Melissa Owens, vice president of sales and marketing for Elmcroft Senior Living, declined to comment on the incident out of respect for the privacy of our residents and families. Owens said Elmcroft of Chesterfield is an assisted-living facility that provides housing for elderly people. She said seniors who reside there are offered assistance with daily living activities based on individual needs. Residents who need special care for progressed dementia along with their daily living activities are housed in a dedicated, secure area, she said. Huff, who has no prior criminal record, has been released on a $1,000 secured bond pending a Jan. 18 hearing in Chesterfield General District Court. Court papers filed in the case said Huff has been moved to a special assisted-living facility. RICHMOND When Gov. Terry McAuliffe stepped out of the Virginia Executive Mansion on Wednesday, he couldnt help but make an observation about the two deer lying in his front driveway. Theyre both beautiful, but someones is much bigger, McAuliffe said, prompting laughter from the crowd packed around the trussed animals. Ill let the chiefs figure that out. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes presented the governor with gifts at a ceremony to kick off Thanksgiving, an annual tradition that dates back 339 years to a treaty signed in 1677 between colonial Gov. Herbert Jeffreys and several American Indian leaders. The peace treaty, meant to preserve territorial rights and codify the tribes status as subjects of the English king, originally called for a tribute of 20 beaver skins and three arrows, McAuliffe said, adding weve obviously upgraded. Mattaponi Chief Mark Custalow went first, presenting McAuliffe with a piece of pottery made with clay from the Mattaponi River. At this time, I would like to present you with our 8-point buck, Custalow said. So its your 8-pointer, McAuliffe said. I didnt want to say anything. Next up was Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray, whose tribe recently became the first federally recognized tribe in Virginia. Were here with our smaller deer, Gray said. But what we figure is, you cant eat the antlers. Gray also gave the governor with three turkey feathers and a walking stick topped with a deer skull. He was telling me earlier he just got back from Australia, and I wondered if he did a walkabout, Gray said of the governor. The deer presented to the governor will be given to homeless shelters for Thanksgiving meals with the help of the Hunters for the Hungry group. Weve got a lot to be thankful for here in the commonwealth of Virginia. We are just blessed with so many riches, McAuliffe said. And we always have to remind ourselves that there are many people today who are going to have trouble putting food on the table tomorrow. McAuliffe invited parents in the crowd to take photos of their children with the deer, opened the mansion for tours and yielded the podium for some tribal dancing. Happy Thanksgiving, McAuliffe said. Abortion access in several states could hinge on the outcome of November elections of lawmakers, governors, supreme court justices and attorneys general. In the first nationwide elections since the U.S. Supreme Court handed states control of abortion rights decisions, abortion rights advocates and Democrats are sounding alarms that putting Republicans in office could lead to new bans and restrictions. Republican candidates are mostly talking about other topics. And when abortion is brought up, a number of them say they would not change the status quo, or would have exceptions if they do impose new restrictions. The issue looms large especially in states where elections are expected to be close. THE 50 million restoration of Wentworth Woodhouse was given a shot in the arm this week when Chancellor Phillip Hammond pledged 7.6 million for repairs to the crumbling mansion. The Advertiser reported last month how preservation trust chairman Julie Kenny and Wentworth and Dearne MP had met Mr Hammond at Westminster to lobby him to support the revival of the subsidence-hit stately home. And the pair must have proved persuasive because the Governments money man announced during his Autumn Statement on today that a huge chunk of cash was heading to South Yorkshire. The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) has 7 million in place to buy the Big House, as the mansion is known in the village, from its current owners, the Newbold family. But Ms Kenny told the Advertiser last month that the trust was keen to gather more funding for emergency repairs before pressing on to complete the deal. Mr Healey said after todays announcement: The Chancellor made a special exception in announcing the 7.6 million grant to rescue and restore Wentworth Woodhouse. This is great news which gives the full go-ahead to plans to preserve one of Britains great houses for the nation. "I met the Chancellor personally last month to press the case with the chair of the Trust Julie Kenny and Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, who is a heritage expert. We've been meeting ministers and civil servants behind the scenes for over a year, so Im delighted that the Chancellor today recognised the scale of the challenge in saving Wentworth Woodhouse for the public and backed the huge potential boost it could bring to jobs, businesses and visitors in the North. The grant is a great vote of confidence for the work that the Trust and its chair Julie Kenny have been doing on the plans for the great house. EIGHT people have been arrested as part of a new clampdown on foreign national offenders. South Yorkshire Police have joined the nationwide Operation Trivium which was launched on Monday. It aims to target offenders who use road networks to undertake criminal activity across borders. Eight people have been arrested in South Yorkshire and 144 cars have been stopped, A total of 29 cars have been seized and 54 traffic offence reports logged. Officers from Joint Specialist Support Teams and local policing teams have been out conducting spot checks, patrols and using intelligence to target criminals. It is hoped that crimes such as modern slavery will be tackled by the operation. Chief Insp Glen Suttenwood of the Specialist Support Team said: The operation is now entering its third day and the results that have been obtained so far demonstrate the importance of the work that is being done and the effectiveness of the planned operation that is in place. To build on this success, officers will continue to conduct spot checks, patrols and execute warrants under the operation. To report any concerns about human trafficking or criminal activity, call 101. Alternatively people can report any concerns or crimes to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Zijn Platinum appoints former SA finance minister as deputy chair Nkwe Platinum and South Africa Zijin Platinum, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Zijin Mining, have appointed former South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni as a non-executive director and deputy chairperson of South Africa Zijin Platinum. Saudi Arabia seeks support from Australian miners to diversify its oil-dependent economy Saudi Arabia is seeking support from Australian miners to support its $170 bn plan to build a mining industry, and diversify its oil-dependent economy this decade. Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef is in... WGC: Global gold demand up 28% y-o-y in Q3 The World Gold Councils latest Gold Demand Trends report reveals that gold demand (excluding OTC) in the third quarter of 2022 hit 1,181 tonnes, up 28% year-on-year. Strong demand pushed the year-to-date total to its pre-COVID levels. Gold... Karo Mining to raise $50m to develop Zim platinum project Tharisa, the platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome co-producer, says its subsidiary Karo Mining has opened a fixed income note offer to raise $50 million to be listed by way of introduction on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX)... Namibias state-owned diamond trading company, Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has dismissed reports that it sold the country's diamonds cheaply to Dubai. The Namibian quoted Namdia board chairperson Shakespeare Masiza as saying that they sold two parcels weighing 50 260,53 carats for N$376 million ($26,4 million) this year. The daily had last week reported that Namdia deliberately sold the country's diamonds cheaply to Dubai five times less than the price they eventually fetched in the Middle East. Namdia did not undersell its purchase entitlement. Namdia has not and will not engage in any illicit business, Masiza was quoted as saying. The purpose of Namdia is to independently discover the true market value of Namibian diamonds, and to report to the shareholder what we have discovered in order for government to inform its national resource optimisation strategy. Unnamed sources cited by The Namibian claimed that Namdia sold diamonds in Namibia to Dubai-based companies for $500 per a carat. However, the same diamonds were then re-sold for $2 500 per carat by the Dubai-based companies. Namdia was not pleased by such allegations saying its transactions were above board. Casting aspersions over Namdia's objective with tags like illicit financial flows seek to undermine the genuine pursuit of price discovery, and makes one wonder in whose interest you wish to report such, Masiza said. Mines minister Kandjoze also said last Friday that Namdia was not a vehicle for self-enrichment for middlemen or existing buyers through the De Beers sightholders system. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Diamcor said it has invested several years and about $50-million into the development of the Krone-Endora at Venetia diamond project, in South Africa. It was currently performing large-scale trial mining exercises with an objective of achieving an initial production decision in the short term. The bulk of the capital expenditure is now complete, and we do not envision any significant additional capital being required to bring the project on stream, Mining Weekly quoted company chief executive Dean Taylor as saying. Krone-Endora was funded through a combination of equity raises, a debt facility from Diamcors strategic alliance partner, Tiffany & Co, and through the sale of rough diamonds recovered as a result of the ongoing testing and commissioning exercises. The project was an opencast, employing low-cost strip-mining methods and the company is targeting an initial 15-year operational life span. Diamcor had a mining right over the initial areas of focus covering 657 ha of the project. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is set to present the Autumn Statement on Wednesday. The statement will also be the first announcement on future budget plans from the government since the U.K. voted to leave the EU in the referendum held late June. The statement is due at 7.30 am ET. Flash Purchasing Managers' survey results from euro area, Germany and France are also due today. At 2.00 am ET, Statistics Norway releases unemployment figures for September. The jobless rate is forecast to remain unchanged at 4.9 percent. At 3.00 am ET, Markit is set to publish France's flash PMI data. The manufacturing PMI is expected to fall to 51.5 in November from 51.8 in October. The services PMI is seen at 51.9, up from 51.4 in October. At 3.30 am ET, Germany's flash PMI survey data is due. Economists forecast the factory PMI to drop to 54.8 in November from 55 in October. Similarly, the services PMI is set to drop to 54 from 54.2. Half an hour later, Markit is scheduled to issue euro area PMI results. The composite PMI is expected to fall slightly to 53.2 in November from 53.3 in October. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Norway's unemployment rate held steady in September, defying economists' expectations for an increase, figures from Statistics Norway showed Wednesday. The jobless rate came in at 4.8 percent in September, the same rate as in June. Meanwhile, it was forecast to rise slightly to 4.9 percent. There were 135,000 unemployed people in September. The increase of 1000 unemployed persons from June is clearly within the LFS error margin, the agency said. The rate for September indicates the average of August to October and the June figure reflects May to July period. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Severn Trent Plc (SVT.L), which is in deal to buy Dee Valley Group PLC (DVW.L) in 78.5 million pounds deal, said Wednesday that it continues to consider its options regarding an increased recommended cash offer. The company will make a further announcement in due course, and urged Dee Valley shareholders not to take any action in respect of their shares at this stage. Severn Trent shares were gaining around 3 percent in London. Severn Trent was responding to Ancala Fornia Limited's intention to switch from a Scheme of Arrangement to a takeover offer in respect of its increased recommended cash offer for Dee Valley. On Tuesday, Ancala announced an increased recommended cash offer for Dee Valley, while on Wednesday it announced its intention to switch its offer for the Voting Ordinary Shares from a Scheme to a contractual offer. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday raided the offices of Samsung as well as the National Pension Service related to a corruption investigation on the country's president Park Geun-Hye, reports said, citing South Korea's semiofficial Yonhap News Agency. The raids are said to be related to allegations against Samsung that it bribed Park's confidant Choi Soon-Sil to win state approval for a controversial merger of two Samsung affiliates including Samsung C&T Corp. According to the agency, prosecutors visited the electronics giant's Future Strategy Office, which oversees key decisions, in its headquarters in the Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the pension fund reportedly confirmed the raid in its headquarters in the South Korean city of Jeonju, as well as its offices in Seoul. The authorities also raided the office of Hong Wan-sun, who was the chief investment officer at pension service, and was a key proponent of the Samsung's last year's merger. Geun-hye's close associate Soon-Sil is alleged to have used her influence to extort money from corporations like Samsung, Hyundai and LG. According to data compiled by corporate-governance research firm Chaebul.com, almost all of the country's conglomerates have donated large sums of money to two Choi-controlled foundations. The heads of Hyundai, LG and SK Group are also summoned by prosecutors for questioning. Soon-sil has since been arrested, while Park faces criminal investigation for aiding in her friend's scheme, making her the first South Korean president to face a criminal investigation while in office. In an earlier raid, prosecutors reportedly have seized documents from Samsung's Gangnam offices and from an advertising affiliate. They have also questioned several top executives. Last year, the proposed merger of Samsung's holding company Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung C&T was highly criticized, for willfully undervaluing Samsung C&T's stocks. However, Samsung won approval for the merger as the National Pension Service, a major Samsung shareholder, voted in favour of the deal. Following the news of the raids, Samsung C&T shares dropped around 2.9 percent in South Korea. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC) said it has received a single-award contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District or USACE NAE, to provide environmental remediation and restoration, technical support and facility maintenance at the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Jacobs has supported NAE in this capacity at the site since early 2004. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity or ID/IQ remedial action contract has a capacity value of $350 million. Jacobs noted that New Bedford Harbor, home to a large commercial fishing fleet, is one of the oldest recreational and commercial navigation harbors along the East Coast of the United States. The USACE was requested by the US Environmental Protection Agency or EPA to clean up PCB-contaminated sediments from the harbor. The contamination is the result of waste discharged from the 1940s through the 1970s by two electrical capacitor manufacturing plants. Separately, Jacobs also said it received an amendment from Saudi Aramco for its general engineering services or GES contract. While the contract value was not disclosed, the five-year extension builds on the framework of the original contract signed in 2011. Services include engineering, procurement and construction management services associated with Saudi Aramco's capital program. The services are being led by the Jacobs ZATE operation in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. government's high-profile "Hustle" lawsuit against Bank of America Corp. (BAC) died a quiet death this week as the Department of Justice did not appeal an unfavorable ruling by the November 21 deadline. In May this year, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a $1.27 billion penalty against Bank of America in the 2012 civil mortgage-fraud lawsuit brought by the Justice Department over mortgages sold by the bank's Countrywide Financial unit prior to the 2008 financial crisis. The appeals court had also tossed out a $1 million civil penalty against former Countrywide executive Rebecca Mairone, one of the few individuals prosecuted for alleged misdeeds during the financial crisis. The court ruled that the government failed to provide sufficient proof that Countrywide committed fraud. The decision delivered a severe blow to the Obama administration's efforts to hold banks accountable for their role in the financial crisis. The Justice Department had asked the appeals court to reconsider its decision, but its request shot down by the court in July. The DOJ had until Monday, November 21, to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the lawsuit, but it allowed the deadline to pass. This means that Bank of America and Mairone will now not be held accountable. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was highly critical of Donald Trump during the Republican presidential primary but has still accepted the president-elect's offer to be his Ambassador to the United Nations. In a statement, Haley said she was moved to accept the new assignment out of a sense of duty as well as a satisfaction with what she has achieved in her state during her time as governor. "This month's elections have brought exciting changes to America. Our country faces enormous challenges here at home and internationally," Haley said. "Last week, President-elect Trump asked if I would meet with him to discuss those challenges, which I was happy to do," she added. "He has asked that I serve our country as our next Ambassador to the United Nations. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, I have agreed." Trump announced his intent to nominate Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday, with a statement from his transition team calling her one of the most universally respected governors in the country. "Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country," Trump said. He added, "She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage." Trump's choice of Haley comes even though she raised significant concerns about the real estate tycoon throughout the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Haley first endorsed Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., before throwing her support behind Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tex. She eventually said she would vote for Trump in the general election. The South Carolina Governor has sharply criticized Trump's policies, especially his proposal for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, which she called "un-American." Trump has also been critical of Haley in the past, calling her "weak" regarding the issue of immigration and saying the people of South Carolina are embarrassed by her. While Haley is not known for having significant foreign policy experience, Congressman Sean Duffy, R-Wis., told CNN that is not a major concern. "She's a smart woman," Duffy said in an interview on CNN's "New Day." "I don't think you need this great history of diplomatic experience to go in the UN and be successful." He added, "I think what you want to do is find people who will share your worldview especially when they go and represent you from the administration to the UN or any other post." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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 In 2010, wed newly arrived in Australia. With an ocean between us and our home it feels even more important to keep our traditions, and Thanksgiving dinner is the centerpiece. For cruisers, recreating That Familiar Dinner (cue the Norman Rockwell images) can be a little tricky. If anything is obligatory, its a turkey. Number of times weve had turkey for Thanksgiving during the eight years outside of the USA: hmm lets see yes, I believe that number is ZERO. Apparently, its predominantly a North American thing. But roasted chicken makes a fine stand in. I always save a can of cranberries somewhere on board (they pop up on shelves every few countries, and are known to get stashed in Totems bilge for many months). There are usually starchy tubers of some kind, onions to cream, something green, and I can always make gravy, and fruit to make pie from. Forget about finding canned pumpkin puree outside North America, but don't worry. Whole pumpkins are plentiful in tropical markets, and cook up easily on the stove. Like a lot of things in the cruising life, the end result is the same getting the task done just takes a little longer. Then there was that year in Thailand, where the chicken I picked up at the village market was whole. Thats whole, as in not just headnot just feetbut the cavity unopened and all the guts intact. At least the weekly market day was ON Thanksgiving, given the lack of refrigeration, and I remembered enough from helping on a farm as a teen to avoid the gall bladder (just a tiny slice taint and ruin your dinner). More to be thankful for, and a story that we now retell annually! As our distance from the US increased, so did our thankfulness for the incredible opportunity to live an adventurous life afloat. Physical separation from our extended family on holidays like this help reinforce my gratitude for the strength of our nuclear family, and the time we have to be together. #grateful Laura Kelly, Derek Schmidt locked in close governor's race, poll shows New polling released Wednesday shows races for Kansas governor and attorney general remain toss-ups, as the Nov. 8 election nears. While many young people on holiday wake up, slap gel on their hair, jump on the bus and head to town, one lad from the village of Letogo chose another direction. The 15-year-old Mahonri Levales destination is the coconut farm to fetch green coconuts to sell. The money he makes feeds his family and provides for their faalavelave. He explains that he wants to repay his parents for all they have done in his life. Right now my school is on a two week break and I am just using this time to look for some money to help out with food for the family, Mahonri told the Village Voice. The money is also used for bus fare for my older siblings who are working. It feels good to be useful around the house. The reason I want to be helpful is to take some weight off of my parents shoulders. All my life they have worked hard to provide for me so this is the least I can do. This is how all of the young people should think. Mahonri is able to make quite a bit of money every day to help his family and all the work is done with a smile. Last week Friday was when my school went on break, he said. I started to bring the green coconuts to sell on that week because I had a lot of time on my hands. I make about $50 a day and it all goes to my parents. I get the green coconuts from our plantation just up the hill over there. There are plenty and I just husk it, put it in a cooler then come wait over here for customers. His message to the young people roaming and wasting time around town is to stay at home and help out around the house. I sometimes come out here in the morning and sometimes I start in the afternoon, Mahonri said. By the end of the day, I would have sold all of the green coconuts. I think the cause for many problems with the young people in Samoa is that they muck around too much. They roam around instead of staying at home and helping out. My advice to my fellow young people is to stop wasting your life and help out those who have helped you while you were growing up. Mahonri says that the school kids mucking around in town is the cause of all the fights in the market places. I hate hearing about fights and disputes between school kids at the market, he said. Its sad and it makes me very angry. Every day after school I just jump in the bus and come straight home because I know what comes of mucking around. I dont want to get involved in any of the mindless fighting, it benefits no one especially your family. The faafafine community in Samoa will celebrate a whole week dedicated to them and addressing the issues they face, starting from the 1st until 10th December. President of the Samoa Faafafine Association, Sooalo Roger Stanley, said the inaugural Faafafine Week - looks to honour and celebrate the achievements of faafafine. Sooalo said the event would be an opportunity to address issues pertaining to faafafine. Such issues include bullying on social media, how faafafine feature themselves on social media as well as how the media portrays them. The week is to celebrate us and our achievements and work not only in the community but government and other areas, he said. The faafafine week is the first of its kind and a national celebration to mark over three decades of advocacy. Its about challenging the status quo by pioneering a unique social movement for positive social change in HIV and AIDS Prevention Human Rights and Gender Equality. Guided by the theme Persevere in Life and Serve with Love, the celebration is scheduled to kick off with a dawn candlelight service on the Apia black sand waterfront. The service will honour victims of HIV/AIDS and those living and fighting the virus. As part of the advocacy work, Sooalo said they would be installing condom dispensers in nightclubs as well as awareness programmes to promote HIV prevention. The faafafine community will also be doing charity work during that week for the Carmelite nuns, Mapuifagalele and childrens' pediatric ward to name a few. A forum to address issues and discuss a way forward for faafafine will also be part of the weeklong event. The event is funded by the British High Commission, Asia Pacific Bilateral Programme Fund, USAID, the Ministry of Health and Civil Society Partners. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L) has launched an investigation into fresh claims about members of the public being fooled with new fake products on the retail market. The alarm was raised by a local Supermarket chain after receiving multiple complaints from members of the public about the quality of the products in question. The supermarket met with M.C.I.L and the Ministry has immediately responded. The Samoa Observer has been told the fake products are imported from Asia. Among them are the Rexona roll-on deodorant and the Boom washing powder. If you were to see these products in the shops, you would not know which one is the original and which is fake, an official from the Sales and Marketing team of the supermarket in question told the Samoa Observer. We are raising this issue because we believe information like this will help the public more in terms of awareness about what is going on. According to the official, the culprits have photocopied the same details, word for word on the fake Boom powder. The only way to compare them is if they stand directly next to each other. Then differences in height and width are recognizable. The fake washing powder is smaller and slimmer. The whole layout appears darker and there are narrow differences concerning font type. Yet, people who only see one product are not able to figure out whether it is original or not. It is the same with the Rexona roll-on deodorant. As forgers copied the shape and the logo it is almost impossible for the human eye to spot a fabrication. The official said the supermarket was alerted after it received many complaints about the quality of the products after the purchase. The Rexona roll-ons do not last long and have almost no fragrance to it or a very different smell than normally, to list a few of them. It gives a bad consumer feedback in terms of the brand. Complaints about the washing powder were similar. The consumers noticed that Booms ingredients were different. They could tell negative differences when they washed the clothes. So we wanted to see whether we had the right product. So, we went back to the factory to analyse the products and found out we had several fakes. The supermarket blames the new Asian businesses. There are so many of them and they all work together, he said. Chinese are very business-orientated. They will look for loopholes and if they can win something with it, they will do it. On the black market in Hong Kong you can find everything for a very cheap price. Normally the Rexona Roll-ons are sold for about $4. The fake products are being sold for $2.50. Asked for a comment, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) confirmed that the complaint from the supermarket has been lodged and they are investigating it. Principal Fair Trading Officer Karen Niumata is leading the investigation. A lawyer and a former Assistant Police Commissioner has appealed for calm and peace within the Police. Papalii Taeu Masipau, who is also a former Member of Parliament, made the appeal during an interview with the Samoa Observer. He called on Police officers to put the interest of the public first. In light of developments within the Ministry which have led to the Police Commissioner being suspended and a separate Commission Inquiry launched into the conduct of an Acting Commissioner Papalii said its important Police officers remember their oath. He said they are sworn to protect members of the public no matter what and they are there to uphold law and order. Papalii said the Police officers should read the Police Service Act and take that as their guide in difficult times like this. He pointed out that the Police Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner roles are political appointments and the recent developments have been unfortunate. From what I see, he said, the Assistant Commissioners should concentrate on their assigned work and not look at the Commissioners position. Their priority should be doing what they were hired to do and that is maintaining the public trust and confidence by following and respecting the Police Act. Papalii said judging from whats been said and published in the media including several ghost letters some Police officers are wasting too much time nit-picking faults. It seems to me that the problem is that some people are looking at the other persons work instead of doing their own work. It also appears that the rotation of the Acting Commissioners position has caused some distraction for some of the management. Papalii said the administration of the Ministry of Police should be left to Cabinet who make the political appointments. Police officers on the other hand should do what they are there to do. Leave the politics to the politicians. Papalii said he was particularly concerned about the impact of whats happening on Police partners - including the Australian Federal Police who have helped Samoa in so many ways over the years. The partnership with the A.F.P is very important to Samoa. It started around our time when I was there, recalled Papalii. It took a lot of work to establish that relationship and our Police should respect that partnership because they have made a lot of contributions in the development of our police. They have donated vehicles and A.F.P. has a broader vision by offering courses and trainings for local police officers for the future of the Ministry. I think its very important that we dont lose that relationship. Papalii believes that if the Police officers focus on their own individual work and follow the Police Service Act, everything else will fall into place. Papalii had served in the Ministry for 27 years before he became a lawyer and a Member of Parliament. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump's presidential victory has dimmed hopes for reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and analysts say Israel may be given carte blanche from his administration. American presidents have long struck a delicate balance in the conflict, stressing the close U.S. friendship and lavishing the Jewish state with aid. But recent presidents also have tried to negotiate, and they have called out Israel for actions seen as undermining peace efforts, such as expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. Trump's role can't be easily predicted. A foreign policy novice, the billionaire businessman takes pride in his deal-making skills and says he'd love the challenge of negotiating a Mideast agreement. He told The New York Times on Monday that it "would be such a great achievement." He said his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, an observant Jew and a close adviser, may help make that happen. Last December, Trump told The Associated Press that he wanted to be "very neutral" and try to get both sides together. But his tone became decidedly more pro-Israel as the campaign progressed. He has spoken disparagingly of Palestinians, saying they have been "taken over" by or are condoning militant groups. Some of his top aides challenge the legitimacy of Palestinian demands for a state and have claimed that the Palestinians are a made-up people. That has cast doubt on whether he would ever question Israeli actions or even try to serve as a neutral broker. "Trump's administration may take a totally hands-off approach," said Yousef Munayyer, a political analyst and executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. "Israel would have free reign to dominate the Palestinians forever and ever if there is no external involvement." David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said the volatility of the Middle East and of American political parties after a grueling campaign have made "the conclusion of a two-state solution very unlikely." Some senior Israeli officials share that view. Cabinet Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the pro-settler Jewish Home party, said after Trump's Nov. 8 election that "the era of a Palestinian state are over." Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman suggested Israel could cut a deal with Trump that allowing expanded construction in major settlements while freezing building in isolated parts of the West Bank. That would be a sharp break from Obama administration policy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been more cautious, congratulating Trump but giving no indication on whether he will now change his policies. Relations have been tense between President Barack Obama and Netanyahu. Trump has accused Obama of putting undue pressure on Israel. But Obama has hardly cast off Israel. In September, the U.S. signed its largest-ever security agreement, giving the Israeli military $38 billion over 10 years. While Obama pressured Israel into a partial settlement freeze in 2009 and 2010, settlements continue to expand. According to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now, there were 3,915 housing starts during Obama's term as of the end of 2015. By the time Obama leaves office, that number will almost certainly surpass the 4,191 units started during George W. Bush's presidency. Previous administrations have given varying amounts of leeway to Israel on the issue of settlements, but also have pushed for the two-state solution. President Bill Clinton helped broker the Oslo Accord, attempting to establish a framework to resolve the conflict. President George W. Bush launched a plan that endorsed an independent Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel. Both approaches fizzled, and two rounds of peace talks during the Obama years quickly collapsed. Trump criticized Palestinians when he spoke in March at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington. He said "half of the population of Palestine has been taken over by the Palestinian ISIS and Hamas, and the other half refuses to confront the first half." Hamas, an Islamic militant group, controls the Gaza Strip. ISIS, an acronym for the Islamic State group, is not a major force in the Palestinian territories. One of Trump's top advisers on Israel, Jason Greenblatt, said in a recent interview that the president-elect doesn't think West Bank settlements should be condemned or pose an "obstacle to peace." Greenblatt, chief legal officer and executive vice president at the Trump Organization, was interviewed on Israel's Army Radio. Trump has echoed the decades-old promise of past presidential candidates that he would move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. That would signal U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a move that would infuriate Palestinians, who claim the eastern sector of the city, captured by Israel in 1967, as their capital. Presidents have not followed through on the pledge. Some Trump advisers and supporters have been dismissive of the Palestinian cause. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told the Israeli American Council in September that the U.S. should "reject the whole notion of a two-state solution in Israel." Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson both say the Palestinians are an invented people. John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in 2014 that a two-state solution "would inevitably lead to a terror state on the other side of the border with Israel." Jeremy Ben Ami, founder of J-Street, a liberal pro-Israel group that advocates a two-state solution, said the future of the Arab-Israeli conflict lies in the pending Trump Cabinet appointments. He said if policy is driven by the "Israel-can-do-no-wrong" camp, "then some of those in the Israeli right-wing are going to be very happy." When too much stuff clutters a home, nothing gets rid of that extra couch or refrigerator like a yard sale. But when a biomedical company wants to dispose of a centrifuge or DNA tester, posting signs around the neighborhood isnt going to do. American Laboratory Trading, which recently opened an enlarged office in San Diego, offers biomedical companies a place to sell that old triple quad mass spectrometer or centrifuge. And for startup and smaller companies on a tight budget, American Laboratory Trading provides 50 percent to 80 percent savings off the cost of new equipment. San Diegos dynamic life-science industry which is noted for rapid company formation, growth and acquisitions generates strong demand for such equipment, said Jayson Bernstein, president of American Laboratory Trading, which is based in East Lyme, Conn. Advertisement The new local location replaces a one-person sales office that didnt have equipment on site, Bernstein said. Staffed with 13 people, the nearly 14,000-square-foot office and warehouse is at 6444 Nancy Ridge Drive. The equipment is refurbished to original specifications so labs can rely on it, Bernstein said. Any malfunctioning components are swapped out with good components from other used equipment. People count on this equipment every day in their labs, he said. Theyre counting on it being running up to spec, no down time. If they do have a problem, they need somebody to call. Thats why this company launched, 17 years ago. American Laboratory Trading, or ALT, began as a dumpster-diving exercise, with discarded equipment picked out of the bins of Pfizer and other big drug companies, Bernstein said. But after ownership of the business changed hands, it became more professionalized. One of the biggest makers of lab equipment, Agilent Technologies, recently agreed to sell certified used instruments to ALT, along with services such as software guidance, installation, training and a one-year warranty for customers. Agilents partnership, announced in September, demonstrates how the market for biomedical lab equipment has matured over the years, Bernstein said. Its not just waiting around for peoples table scraps, but hey, let us help you on an ongoing basis to dispose of your surplus equipment, he said. Lets make sure that it gets recycled, lets make sure it gets in the hands of start-up companies that need low-cost, high-quality equipment. We saw a big niche in the business. The equipment mostly comes from medium-sized companies that are closing, Bernstein said. Those businesses may have failed, merged, taken a different direction or been purchased by a larger company. In any case, equipment that could have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars when in mint condition now needs another home. The buyers dont care that the equipment is used or that its not the latest model, Bernstein said. They just care that it comes at an attractive price and does the desired job. For example, almost a year ago we bought the assets of BP Biofuels in San Diego, and that was close to 1,000 items, Bernstein said. And a lot of that equipment was seven, eight, 10-plus years old. We could even be the third or fourth owner. And theres still a tremendous market for that type of equipment. Thats because the overall growth of the industry ensures that someone can use the equipment. Experienced service engineers at ALT look over incoming equipment to ensure its working right, Bernstein said. Were not scientists here, we couldnt tell you how to create methods for your science. But we can tell you when an instrument is running to specifications. bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 Thanksgiving will mark two years to the day since ministers at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) made a decision that triggered a swoon in global oil prices. But the energy sector strategist for UBS Wealth Management anticipates the oil market will get back into equilibrium by mid-2017 and that should mean good news for investors. Yes, this is a good time to invest in the energy sector on a selective basis, Nicole Decker said Tuesday in a telephone interview from her office in New York City. We take it day by day but we like the opportunities and the risk-reward, finally, two years later. Advertisement On Thanksgiving Day 2014, OPEC threw the oil markets a curve ball. Instead of cutting production, OPEC delegates decided to keep pumping crude, sending an already swollen oil market into over supply. That resulted in a price crash, with oil dropping from its $100 a barrel levels in 2014 to as low as $26 a barrel in February 2016. In the fallout, few winners emerged. North American oil producers suffered, as did OPEC countries such as Nigeria and Venezuela, whose governments rely almost solely on crude to keep their economies afloat. Investors with holdings linked to traditional energy companies also saw their portfolios take a dive. But there are signs the worst may be over. In an energy update released last month, Decker and UBS analysts said oil market fundamentals are improving and extended their bullishness to natural gas and renewable energy markets. If you believe were entering a period where (gross domestic product) growth might accelerate a bit, that bodes well for energy demand, Decker said. The election of Donald Trump has boosted the hopes of oil and gas operators in the U.S., given that Trump has promised to roll back some of the executive actions and regulations of the Obama administration, in particular, restrictions on exploration on federal land. But while Decker sees signs of the oil market re-balancing itself as producers cut production and demand inches up, she does not foresee a Trump presidency significantly changing the overall landscape. The trends were seeing here in the United States are not really federal policy-driven trends, she said. Theyre economically driven You can let energy projects get the go-ahead but oil is still $48 (a barrel). Thats not going to change a whole lot. What has changed in the wake of the 2014 OPEC move has been how, Decker said, U.S. producers have become extremely resilient improving efficiency and reducing their costs to extract oil and natural gas. A number of producers in the Permian Basin in West Texas have been able to make money even though prices are half of what they were two years ago. The U.S. operator is very competitive and I might even go so far as to say they have an advantage on the global stage, Decker said. Innovation is occurring in all phases of the energy business, including the conventional, traditional oil and gas (sector). Some think a Trump administration equals bad news for renewable energy. Decker is not so sure. Trump may pooh-pooh climate change but if there are jobs to be had in clean energy technologies, he is not going to stand in the way of that, Decker said. Hes not out to declare oil and gas a winner versus renewables and alternatives in my view. The UBS report said wind and solar accounted for about 5 percent of all power generation at utility-scale facilities in the U.S. last year, up from 2 percent in 2010. Trump has also made an appeal to bring back jobs to the coal industry but UBS analysts are pessimistic about King Coals prospects, at least domestically. Thats been economically driven as well, Decker said. U.S. supplies of natural gas have exploded in recent years, largely due to developments in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques. The boom in supply has driven down the price of natural gas, which burns twice as clean as coal. That has resulted in utilities switching from coal-fired power plants to natural gas-fired plants. President Obama didnt kill coal, Decker said. Natural gas killed coal. And I dont see that changing. U.S. companies are also expanding into the energy export market, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments going to countries such as Japan and potentially to Europe. And armed with a recent change in the law, U.S. producers can now export crude to countries around the globe. We dont anticipate a spike in oil prices, Decker said. For the average investor who is exposed into the right places and the right sectors, I think theres probably some upside for them as we continue along this path. rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski ALSO What a Trump presidency means for the energy landscape Why Saudi Arabia may be singing a different tune on oil The world gets bullish on renewables Nearly 20 years after arriving in San Diego from his native France, chef Patrick Ponsaty finally has a namesake restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. And based on two recent visits to the newly opened Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge, its been well worth the wait. Ponsatys Fine Dining & Lounge Where: 6106 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe Phone: (858) 771-1871 Advertisement Online: ponsatys.com Located in the old Delicias space in Rancho Santa Fe, Ponsatys is a casually elegant distillation of the chefs heritage, training and cooking career at multiple restaurants around San Diego since 1997. The menu mixes recipes from the fifth-generation chefs childhood with signature dishes from past kitchen jobs (Bellamys, Mistral and BernardO) and a host of new inspirations from the Basque region of Spain, where he trained as a young man. The restaurant, which opened Aug. 2, joins an increasingly short list of traditional fine-dining restaurants in San Diego. Even its outdoor patio tables have white tablecloths. Yet while its beautifully plated dishes, Old World-style dining room and dinner entree prices ($32-$49) say special occasion, its friendly service and approachable lunch and bar menus give it the feel of a familiar neighborhood eatery. Theres also an element of surprise (complimentary truffle popcorn at lunch, an unexpected amuse-bouche at dinner and a proffered tour of the new kitchen by its proud cooks) that made each visit memorable. Owned by the Grand Restaurant Group, the space has been smartly redecorated with darker colors, gold accents and black tablecloths. Theres a giant antique breakfront imported from New Orleans, a chandelier from Spain, hand-riveted high-back black leather booths, and a new marble-topped bar thats illuminated from underneath with a ribbon of blue light. Ponsaty is one of just two French Master Chefs in San Diego (the other is the Marine Rooms Bernard Guillas). Members, voted in by their peers, are chosen for their dedication to French cuisine, techniques and culture. As a result, diners expect perfection in the food. They wont be disappointed. A lightly seared and seasoned Cortez corvina fish served over rich lobster saffron risotto, pea tendrils and almond foam practically melts in the mouth. Generously portioned and ultra-tender sous-vide Marys chicken breast was served with savory whole grain mustard, tender mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and sauteed green beans. And fennel-crusted Baja scallops pop with tangy flavor, thanks to an orange blossom mousse. As a complimentary palate cleanser between courses, the chefs sent out petite shooter cups of chilled radish soup sprinkled with goat cheese and served in the carved-out tops of raw radishes. No Ponsaty-prepared meal is complete without his famously decadent port wine-stewed mushroom ravioli. Its available as a dinner entree, but can be served in an appetizer portion by request. And if theres room, pastry chef Bruno Albouze makes all desserts in-house, including an unforgettable supreme lemon tart, which had layer upon layer of citrus flavors baked lemon curd, fresh pink grapefruit segments, candied orange and clementine sorbet. The lunch and bar menus ($9-$22) have some plated entrees, but mostly offer casual fare. The tender King beef burger is served on a house-baked toasted bun with garlic aioli and caramelized onions and a side of truffled shoestring fries. The mountain mushroom duxelles and arugula flatbread is buttery, crisp, cheesy and filling. And the chopped Cobb salad is served mixed together in an intensely flavored house dressing. Ponsatys wine list is ambitious and leans heavily toward French labels. Wines by the glass start at $9. Bottles range from $37 for a Paso Robles zinfandel to $1,500 for a cabernet-based Bordeaux blend. The chef says he hopes that by offering mid- to high-priced entrees and wine options, Ponsatys will attract a wider following, but all of the customers, he says, can expect a fine dining experience. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Behind the painted windows of the EcoVivarium in downtown Escondido, a living museum of lizards, dragons, turtles, snakes, chameleons, frogs and tarantulas has opened for business. The 1,800-square-foot educational center at 163 S. Juniper St. is now hosting walk-though visitors and school groups for up-close, hands-on encounters with creatures like Lemony Snicket, a 6-year-old red-tailed albino boa constrictor, and Hank, a 17-pound Argentine black and white tegu lizard. The museum is the dream project of Escondido resident Susan Nowicke, the longtime volunteer president of the San Diego Herpetological Society. All but few of the museums 200 animals were rescued from owners who surrendered, lost interest, abandoned, abused or couldnt afford to feed their former pets. Nowicke adopted the creatures and, with a small army of volunteers, has spent at least 100 hours hand-training each of the animals to become animal ambassadors. Advertisement The scaly inhabitants of EcoVivarium offer children a tactile interaction thats rare at public museums. Even the San Diego Zoo keeps most of the inhabitants of its Reptile House behind glass. Nowicke said she hopes the experience teaches visitors to better appreciate these unusual, misunderstood and, in many cases, quite affectionate animals. Siblings Delila and Benjamin Estrada touch a black and white Argentine tegu on a visit to the new EcoVivarium living museum in Escondido. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune ) Nowicke said her passion for reptiles and amphibians began when she started catching slow-moving bufo toads in her native Chicago. I wasnt afraid of them. I thought they were interesting and my parents were great about it, she said. When I got a little older, Id catch nightcrawler worms and dump a bucket of them on the kitchen table ... Then when we moved to Texas and I found a tarantula crawling on my bedroom window screen, I realized I was braver than my two brothers, who were afraid to go near it. Although trained as an accountant, Nowicke quit work to home school her seven children, who are now grown. One of her children has special needs and Nowicke found that her daughter was more receptive to learning about science, literature and other subjects if the lessons involved a tactile experience with a rescued reptile. Thats how EcoVivarium was born. In 2009, Nowicke created the nonprofit to take rescued creatures into public schools for educational animal encounters. The money raised from the classroom visits helped feed and house her growing menagerie. After years of requests to open a storefront for families and school groups, she leased the storefront on Juniper last year. Asbestos under the flooring, inadequate electrical capacity, permit issues and construction dragged out the project for 18 months. It finally opened on Oct. 29. The museum is still very much a work in progress, but Nowicke said theres been a steady flow of foot traffic since the day the doors opened. Bearded dragons are part of several on display at the new EcoVivarium living museum, which recently opened in Escondido. The museum is designed to teach children about reptile and bug species and their habitats. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune ) Its not cheap to feed, bathe and clean up after 200 animals (just a few dozen are on exhibit each day, with the selection rotating constantly). The monthly food bill is $1,400 a month, plus rent, insurance, electricity and water. To reduce expenses, Nowicke came up with creative ideas to build and staff the museum. Carpet Club donated $60,000 in linoleum flooring. Volunteer Mike Reed, an Escondido arborist, built all of the oversize glass-front wood exhibit cases, made with windows recycled from an old housing project. She signed up a middle-school class to design and build the light fixtures that will illuminate and heat each case. And local grade-schoolers are shaping and painting foam panels donated by a Hollywood scenery design company to decorate the interiors of each case. Children can sign up to be junior docents, leading tours and helping with animal care. Among those interested in the job is 10-year-old Benjamin Estrada of Escondido. Gently cradling Sugar, a 9-year-old desert iguana, he said he finds reptiles amazing. His family has visited numerous times since the museum opened and Benjamin said he wishes he could come every day. The cases are displayed along a snakelike path, with each cases representing creatures from different habitats, including the desert, grassland, tropical forest, mangrove swamp and more. For now, they cases are decorated with wood shavings, potted and plastic plants and a few branches for the creatures to crawl on. Eventually each case will have its own biome, with live insects, rocks, soil and rooted plants. There are now 27 animal cases, plus 10 more coming by December for large snakes and spiders. One of the bigger cases, which will hold crocodiles and other large reptiles, has a tunnel underneath that children can crawl through to pop their heads up inside a glass dome at the center. The center hosts school groups, walk-in visitors and birthday parties. The most popular activity is touching and holding the animals. Earlier this month, the Estrada family watched in awe as Mac, an 8-foot Salvator water monitor lizard, walked around the museum on a dog leash. Mac was starving when Nowicke adopted him six years ago. The owner had lost his job, his wife and his home and finally gave up the beloved pet before leaving town. Macs story is similar to many of the EcoVivarium inhabitants. Nowicke said many people buy reptiles when theyre cute little babies, never realizing how large theyll grow, how expensive theyll become to feed, how much training they need to avoid aggressive behavior, and how long theyll live. Most live about 25 years, but Ninja, a 1-year-old African sulcata tortoise who inhabits a pyramid-shaped enclosure, can live 80 years and grow to 250 pounds. Many of the rescues arrived malnourished and some have been abused, like a boa constrictor who was shot 13 times and left for dead. The boa survived but still has a bullet lodged near his heart. Nowicke said animals like these have a special place in her heart and in her hands-on programs with small children. The ones weve brought back from the brink of death have a special connection to the people who saved them, she said. Theyre so grateful and loving because theyve been given a second chance. EcoVivarium is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (closed on Thanksgiving). School tours take place on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets are $8 for children ages 17 and under and $10 for adults. Call (760) 975-9690 or visit ecovivarium.org or the museums EcoVivarium Facebook page. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com On Sunday night, Del Mar native Taylor Williamson will be back in town to perform at the Belly Up Tavern. But unlike most artists making a hometown visit, the 30-year-old stand-up comedian isnt inviting his family or old high school classmates. Williamson who gained national fame as one of the most popular contestants on TVs Americas Got Talent often mines his family history and his awkward adolescence for his oddball comedy, and said some of his subjects might not get his humor. The Studio City-based comedian has established a successful career around his quirky stage persona, which he calls a version of his true self turned up 200 percent. Onstage, hes dorky, shy and self-deprecating with a high-pitched voice, unruly hair and a perpetually bemused expression. Offstage? His fans are often surprised to learn that hes not much different. Advertisement I am a super odd, dumb idiot onstage. Sometimes I joke that its just a character, that I dont talk like this or dress like that. But my favorite compliment is that Im the same onstage as off, he said. I embraced what made me weird and different, and its not just OK, its awesome. Taylor Williamson with Jesse Egan When: 8 p.m. Sunday Where: Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach Tickets: $20-$35 Phone: (858) 481-8140 Online: bellyup.com Williamson grew up in a crazy, wonderful Jewish family in Del Mar, where he attended Earl Warren Middle School and Torrey Pines High. His family, which includes a brother two years his senior, were funny but not on purpose, he said. His mom, Del Mar-based artist Suzanne Williamson, said she thought her son might grow up to be a litigator because he was so bright and quick on his feet. Whatever you would say, he could always find the opposite side. He was very observant and he always found the humor, too. There was always that special spark, that little smile about him, she said. From a young age, Williamson said, he was picked on for how he talked and laughed and for being weird. Eventually, he would learn how to capitalize on his quirks, but in his teens, his differences separated him from the crowd. His mother, Suzanne, said her sons strong will helped him persevere during those years. So many people who are talented get bullied, but he had a strong self about him. He wasnt easily defeated. If someone put him down, he was like, forget you, this is my goal and Im going to achieve it, she said. In high school, Williamson started watching videos of unconventional comedians like Zach Galifianakis, Norm McDonald and the late Mitch Hedberg because he loved their dry, sarcastic, cerebral, stupid, dumb comedy. When he was criticized at school for repeating some of these comics jokes, he spent a year writing his own. At 17, he made his onstage debut at the Comedy Store in La Jolla and became a regular. Few classmates knew about his secret vocation. I was very private about it. I disconnected myself from school to put my passion into comedy, he said. I regret not embracing drama and art (at Torrey Pines), I think I wouldve fit in with the weird artsy kids. I was just alone in my thing. After he graduated in 2004, Williamson studied political science at Cal State Northridge by day and did stand-up by night. Then a comedian he respected advised him to drop out of college. He said, youre already paying the bills doing what you love. Why have a backup plan? Suzanne Williamson said she was worried about his plan to move to Hollywood and pursue his dreams, but she had done the same thing as a young artist so she supported his decision. For the next eight years, Williamson made a modest living working full-time in stand-up. He played clubs in Las Vegas and Reno, was the youngest-ever comedian to perform on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, played the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal and was a semifinalist on NBCs Last Comic Standing in 2010. Then in 2013, his career unexpectedly hit the skids. For the first time, he contemplated getting a part-time job to pay the rent. As a last resort, he auditioned for Americas Got Talent. I did it out of desperation because my career was in such a funk, he said. I was scared of having (judges) Howard Stern and Howie Mandel tell me Im not good. But it went better than I ever couldve dreamed. It changed my life. Williamson who has since been named the No. 4 favorite contestant in the TV talent shows 10-year history became a viral sensation. Teen fans, calling themselves Taylords, uploaded social media videos of themselves reciting his jokes and imitating his often-bewildered expressions (called the TaylorFace). He also had an unexpected chemistry with judge and supermodel Heidi Klum, whose innocent and comic flirting with Williamson each week made him an unlikely sex symbol. On the series finale, Williamson came in second place behind dancer/illusionist Kenichi Ebina. Nonetheless, Williamson said it was the best night of his life because of a brief speech he made to children watching the broadcast. I got to say to the weird kids that if they feel awkward or theyre being picked on, I was like you, and if I wasnt like you, I wouldnt be in the finals, he said. Some kids dont have someone to tell them that. Suzanne, who became close to many of the contestants families at the weekly broadcasts, said that speech was also one her proudest moments as a mom. How brave he was to say that in front of everyone, she said. Hes a beacon for many people who have goals and hes giving back to the universe in that respect. Since then, Williamsons career has been riding high. He travels the country performing two to four weeks a month, year-round. When hes home in L.A., he tests out new material four to five nights a week at local comedy clubs. The material he writes focuses on the ups and mostly downs of his life. Im very lucky that bad things happen to me a lot. My comedy isnt really a bunch of lies, its truth exaggerated, he said. When he discovered his grandmothers parents were first cousins, he turned it into a memorable bit on Americas Got Talent. And when he got carjacked in L.A. several ears ago, it became five minutes of good material. When I got carjacked, they pulled me out of my car, but they couldnt drive stick shift so I had to drive them to their destination, he said. Something like that might be awful for you, but for me its a goldmine. Beyond the comedy stage, Williamson has three television series in the works. Hes developing a quirky travel show, a Pee Wees Playhouse-style childrens show and a Curb Your Enthusiasm-inspired sit-com. Hes also filmed a comedy special thats now being shopped around to networks. Until one of these projects gets the green light, hell focus on stand-up, like Sundays show in Solana Beach, his first headlining gig in San Diego in three years. Im in the almost zone right now, he said, with trademark self-defeating humor. Hopefully one of these things will go. Or maybe things will fall apart and I will have to live with my mom again. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Can you imagine creamy pecan praline pie so rich it melts in your mouth, its flavor enhanced with homemade liqueur reverse-engineered from a gift bottle a friend brought from New Orleans? Toasty walnut flavors leaping from crunchy biscotti-like wedges? New white chocolate-drenched Nutella-filled cookies designed for holiday celebrations? San Diego County Fair star competitor Alberta Dunbar, among the fairs winningest Home and Hobby participants, shares these prize-winning delights to tempt us all to expand our holiday repertoire. How does she keep on winning? Advertisement I like to cook and make up recipes, she explained, drawing inspiration from whatever she finds in her cupboards and refrigerator. She admits to keeping her larder well-stocked with sweet butter, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, chocolates and other favored ingredients. The always immaculately turned-out Dunbar, a remarkable woman with a lifetime of detailed recollections of San Diego neighborhoods, turns 89 in January. She baked her first cake at the age of 9 and, thanks to her familys early encouragement, has experimented in her kitchen ever since. Followers of the county fairs food competitions will recognize Dunbars name. Since her initial entries of canned and preserved foods in 1972, shes won thousands of ribbons in every category shes entered, not just at San Diegos fair, but also at the Los Angeles County Fair, the California State Fair in Sacramento and, one of her favorites, the American Pie Councils National Pie Competition, held annually in Orlando. Pies, cakes, cookies, liqueurs, fudge, pickles, jams, preserves, salsa, spaghetti sauce, plus numerous one-day and individual product contests, including Ghirardelli Chocolate, Gold Medal Flour and Bisquick shes won them all. Dunbar also earned the 1998 national grand sweepstakes prize in the Spam competition for her Spam cheesecake, which landed her a guest spot on the The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and a trip to Hawaii. Dunbar retains a special affection for Spam, having honed her creativity as a young girl embellishing the canned meat during lean times in her childhood. Her affinity for preserving fruits and vegetables traces to her mothers farmer parents. Her French grandfather and German grandmother were Kansas farmers, cultivating special breeds of red and yellow watermelons with seeds her grandfather brought from France. Dunbar still makes watermelon rind pickle, a West Coast rarity. She moved to San Diego from Oklahoma City with her family in 1936 at age 8, part of the Dust Bowl migration. Her father was a sign painter, with special talent in applying intricate gold leaf patterns, who bartered his sign painting expertise for motel stays and tanks of gas to move his wife and four children cross-country to San Diego. He was also a skilled cook, who briefly had a small restaurant near the Oklahoma City capitol and later, after he had to give up sign painting, in retirement became a pie cook at a Santa Monica Pier restaurant. The newly arrived family lived in a tourist camp in Old Town before settling downtown, where the young girl took over much of the cooking, learning to stretch the family food budget. Later, she worked in restaurants as a carhop and waitress before marrying her late husband, Gale, a motorcycle patrolman for the San Diego Police Department, a marriage lasting 50 years. They raised their four children in the Normal Heights home where she still lives with Charlie, her cat, and three outdoor ferals. Dunbar began entering competitions quite by chance. I wasnt working, going crazy at home. My friend and I were in San Ysidro and saw You Pick signs along the road. We picked cucumbers and tomatoes. I had two or three bushels of veggies. I made pickles, relish, canned tomatoes. I had never done it before, but I thought Id try canning. Thats what got me started at the fair, she explained. That first year, 1972, she entered four items and won two ribbons. Two more followed the next year. Those first four ribbons she framed and hung on the wall, along with the newspaper clippings announcing her wins. Ever since, shes deposited her ribbon trove into overflowing boxes. Every year, she spends several months preparing dozens of entries, following precise competition rules and the rest of the year conjuring up new recipes. Her figs for her jam come from her own tree. The Meyer lemons for her famous lemon curd come from a Palm Springs friend, while most of her other fruits and veggies comes from farmers markets and her nuts from Bates Nut Farm. Dunbar bought a book and taught herself to make liqueurs so she could figure out how to make her own pecan praline liqueur, which won a first place at the fair. She then produced a strawberry banana liqueur, which swept the awards with best of show, best of class and best of all canning. While Dunbar is a natural competitor and loves winning top prizes, what also keeps her coming back to the fair year after year is the people. You meet a lot of nice people, other contestants, judges, fair employees, many of whom I keep up with, she said. If she says shes going to retire, dont believe her. Thriving on her culinary creativity, Dunbar is already lining up her next years entries. Larson is a San Diego freelance writer. Pecan Praline Delight This pie has won multiple prizes, including the San Diego County Fairs first place sweepstakes. You can make your own pecan praline liqueur (recipe follows) or substitute a commercial praline pecan liqueur Makes 8-10 servings CRUST 1 cups flour teaspoon salt cup vegetable oil cup milk FILLING 12 ounces cream cheese, softened 3 tablespoons pecan praline liqueur 1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips, melted cup ground toasted pecans cup English toffee baking bits 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped stiff TOPPING 1 cups heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup confectioners sugar, sifted 1 tablespoon pecan praline liqueur cup ground toasted pecans cup toffee baking bits Optional garnish 1 ounce dipping chocolate 18-24 whole pecans Crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well with fork. Shape into a circle. Roll between two sheets of wax paper. Place in a 9-inch Pyrex pie plate. Prick with fork. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. Cool. Filling: In large bowl, beat cream cheese and liqueur with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in melted white chocolate chips until well blended. Add pecans and toffee bits; mix well. Fold in whipped cream with wooden spoon. Turn into pie crust. Chill until set. Topping: Place cream, sugar and liqueur in a small bowl and beat with mixer until stiff. Frost pie, reserving 1/3 for garnish. With pastry bag and large star tip, pipe large rosettes around outer edges. Sprinkle top with mixture of ground pecans and toffee. Optional garnish: Melt dipping chocolate and dip one end of each of the pecans. Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheet and chill until set. Arrange around the perimeter of the pie. Refrigerate pie until serving. Pecan Praline Liqueur This won first place for non-fruit liqueur at the San Diego County Fair. Makes 1 quart BROWN SUGAR SYRUP 1 cup golden brown sugar, firmly packed cup water LIQUEUR 8 ounces chopped pecans 3 cups vodka 1 cup brown sugar syrup 1 teaspoon glycerine Make brown sugar syrup by placing sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, stirring constantly until sugar is fully dissolved and syrup thickens a bit. Set aside and let cool. Place nuts and vodka in a 1-quart fruit jar. Steep at least one month, shaking jar occasionally. Strain and filter through a coffee filter until clear, three or four times. Add the syrup. Place in dark bottle and mature 2 to 3 weeks. Add glycerine for smoother texture. Mandelbrot These cookies are reminiscent of biscotti but tastier. They won first place in the San Diego County Fairs Cookie Jar competition. Makes about 75 cookies COOKIE DOUGH cup Crisco cup Crisco oil 1 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoons vanilla 4 cups unsifted flour teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder teaspoon cinnamon 1 cups chopped walnuts TOPPING cup sugar teaspoon cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place shortening, oil and sugar in a large bowl and beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon and whisk to blend. Add this to creamed mixture and mix with clean hands until well blended. Add nuts and mix with hands until well combined. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Using a cookie sheet without sides, roll each part into a roll about 12 inches long and place on cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between each roll. Make topping by combining the sugar and cinnamon and mixing well. Sprinkle the top of each roll with this mixture. Brush off excess topping from the cookie sheet. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until deep brown in color. Remove from oven and cut into 1/3-inch slices while hot. Place back on cookie sheets. Return to oven to dry and brown for about 10 minutes. These cookies keep well stored in a sealed container. Santas Bites This is a new creation to celebrate the 2016 holidays. Makes 38 cookies 1 box Keeblers Original Crackers 1 13-ounce jar Nutella spread 1 pound white chocolate (Ghirardelli melting wafers recommended) 1 cup toasted sliced almonds Red and green candy sprinkles Place 38 single crackers on a large cookie sheet. With salted side up, spread with a layer of Nutella. Top with a second cracker, salted side down. Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. Place chocolate in a microwavable bowl. Melt on low for about 1 minute, 30 seconds (varies with oven). Stir well. Dip each sandwiched cracker in chocolate using a fork. Shake off excess chocolate. Place on lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle one end with almonds and the other with red and green sprinkles. Do six at a time until all are dipped and decorated. Put sheets in refrigerator until set. Place in a sealed container, cover and keep in refrigerator until ready to use. Use any leftover melted chocolate to dip pecans or Craisins (dried cranberries) to form clusters; chill to set. All recipes created by Alberta Dunbar Is the time ripe for a Mad Dog to lead the Defense Department, just as an unconventional president takes the helm? Or will Donald Trump, with his famously thin skin for criticism, shy away from picking a man known for his bluntness to become the next defense secretary? Marines of all stripes expressed excitement about retired Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis a revered figure who led Camp Pendleton troops into battle in Iraq being considered to head the Pentagon. Advertisement Mattis, who retired with four stars in 2013, met with Trump this weekend as a candidate on the short list to direct the Defense Department. Afterward, the president-elect called the Marine icon impressive in a tweet. RELATED: 14 famous quotes from Mad Dog Mattis Mattis is, perhaps, a dark-horse candidate. Other prospects are proven politicians, more likely to smoothly navigate Capitol Hill and without the need for a waiver from Congress to serve. Federal statute dictates a seven-year gap after active military service for a defense secretary. The other reported top contenders are Sen. Jim Talent, a Republican from Missouri; Stephen Hadley, former national-security adviser under George W. Bush; and Sen. Tom Cotton, a first-term Republican from Arkansas who served as an Army officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, also a Marine Corps veteran, was discussed as an early possibility. But Mattis name has sparked the most excitement in the news media and among former Marines who served under him. I consider the time I spent on his personal staff as THE formative experience of my time in the Marine Corps. Hands down, he was the best leader that I ever served with, said Joe Plenzler, a retired Marine public affairs officer who did tours with Mattis at Camp Pendleton. Joe Chenelly was a young enlisted Marine in late 2001 when Mattis led Task Force 58 into Afghanistan. Its my personal opinion that weve been at war for 15 straight years because, in part, we havent had enough real warriors at the helm. General Mattis could change that, Chenelly said. Task Force 58 was the first large U.S. ground force in that nation, and Mattis was just a one-star from Pendleton at the time. He was already making waves with his blunt talk. U.S. officials blanched when Mattis was quoted as saying, The Marines have landed and we now own a piece of Afghanistan even though the White House had said it didnt covet foreign territory. Mattis went on to lead San Diego County Marines in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the bloody Fallujah campaign of 2004. He later had a hand in writing the counterinsurgency doctrine that helped turn around the deadly Al Anbar district after 2006. But his frank comments continued to be a headache for Pentagon brass, such as at a 2005 panel discussion in San Diego. Mattis now famously said: Actually its quite fun to fight them, you know. Its a hell of a hoot. ... I like brawling. He added, You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didnt wear a veil. You know, guys like that aint got no manhood left anyway. Afterward, top Marine generals rallied around Mattis, though they said he should have been more prudent with his remarks. Its an open question if thats why Mattis wasnt chosen as Marine commandant despite leading both the 1st Marine Division and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, usually stepping stones to the Corps top job. His final position was U.S. Central Command, overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the former generals no-holds-barred candor is part of why everyday Marines love Mattis. Many, including some interviewed for this story, have used the phrase I would follow him into hell. Also, stories of Mattis caring about the average lance corporal are legion. Here are a few: Chenelly said circumstances meant that Pendleton Marines went into Afghanistan in late 2001 without cold-weather gear. (Mattis) would walk the perimeters at night, from fighting position to fighting position, asking how each Marine was. Once he realized we didnt have much in the way of warm clothes, he stopped wearing his. Hed bring heating packs (from field meal packages) to the Marines likely his and his staff officers. Retired Marine Corps officer Gary Solis, a former military judge advocate and Marine prosecutor, remembers that Mattis called each Pendleton infantry battalion, one at a time, into a base theater before the Iraq war. It took some time, but the general wanted the grunts to be informed and to hear their questions. I went with him to a couple of those briefings, Solis remembers. He could talk to just about anybody on a level that allows him to connect to them, not in a bureaucratic way, but in a personal way. Solis also tells that Mattis discovered a young newlywed Marine in his command had moved his wife into base housing without any furniture. The general ordered the Marine to come to his quarters and take whatever he could use. Hows that for leadership? Solis asked in an interview Tuesday. There was even a push this spring by a group of Republicans to draft the retired general to become a presidential nominee. He declined, choosing to remain a visiting fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution. Mattis does have a few unsavory notations on his resume. He was in charge of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command when it failed to act on an urgent plea for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to replace regular Humvees. The time was 2005, when Marines were losing limbs on a regular basis to roadside bombs. A 2008 Pentagon inspector general investigation, as reported by USA Today, determined that the development command dropped the ball on the request. In 2012, Mattis became interested in a Silicon Valley upstart, Theranos, whose blood-testing technology had a chance to be a game-changer for battlefield medicine. But the company hit regulatory roadblocks. Mattis pushed to help Theranos gain acceptance from the Defense Department, emailing others, asking how do we overcome this new obstacle? Then, a year later in retirement, he agreed to join the companys board which was approved by a Pentagon lawyer, but with the restriction that he shouldnt represent the company in affairs before the Defense Department. Stars of the American political class have praised Mattis candidacy. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and himself a war hero, released a statement saying that he hopes Mattis has a chance to serve the nation again. General Mattis has a clear understanding of the many challenges facing the Department of Defense, the U.S. military, and our national security, McCain said Monday. But the question remains: Is the warrior-scholar whose battlefield call sign was Chaos a good fit to run a notorious bureaucracy staffed by 742,000 civilians and 1.3 million active-duty troops? Opinion is mixed. Some made it sound like it would be fun to watch the fireworks from a man famous for saying, Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet. I think he has an uncanny ability to cut through the bureaucracy and make a great impact fast than just about any other secretary in modern history, said Chenelly, who is now executive director of the national AMVETS organization. I realize that sounds grandiose, but we are talking a lot about never been done before these days. Plenzler sounded optimistic, saying that the general knows what makes people tick and how to motivate. He has shown time and again that he has the courage to offer his best military advice to leadership -- even when that advice runs contrary to conventional wisdom, the retired public affairs officer added. Solis is dubious about the compatability. He predicted that Mattis might not last long just like another retired Marine leader, Gen. James Jones, who tapped out as National Security Adviser to the Obama administration after less than two years. His candor and regard for truth would, I fear, soon put him at odds with other appointees and entrenched Washington interests with less concern for those attributes, the former Marine lawer said. But, on Tuesday, there were signs that perhaps Trump might listen to the retired generals counsel. Mattis is hawkish on Iran, but he is also known for coaching his Marines to try restraint and cultural understanding when dealing with civilians in Iraq. On the topic of waterboarding, Trump has previously been a fan. But the president-elect told the New York Times that Mattis negative opinion of the practice the retired general said cigarettes and beer work just as well -- may sway him. Trump told the Times: I think its time, maybe, for a general. jen.steele@sduniontribune.com Facebook: U-T Military Twitter: @jensteeley The archbishop spoke with a patience that belied his frustration. My dear brothers and sisters, he said to the congregation that had gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on the Thursday evening after the presidential election. We are here tonight because our people are hurting, and they feel afraid. For more than 10 years, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has argued that the U.S. immigration system is broken, and now overnight, the terms of the debate had shifted. Advertisement The calls for a massive increase in deportations, the political rhetoric of the last year, threatened to become reality, and as he looked out upon the faces of the faithful, he could see their anxiety. We pray for our leaders, including our President-elect Archbishop Jose Gomez 1 / 8 Archbishop Jose H. Gomez greets Jade Lopez, 9, of L.A., during an interfaith prayer service Nov. 10 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. During the service, the day after the election, he called for peace and unity. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 8 L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti hugs Archbishop Jose H. Gomez after the service. For Gomez, who came to this country from Mexico, the service was an opportunity to show the churchs solidarity with the more than 3 million Latinos in the archdiocese. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 8 Nuns participate in the interfaith prayer service for peace and unity. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 8 People participate in an interfaith prayer service for peace and unity, held the day after the presidential election. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 8 Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Nov. 21. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 6 / 8 Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez is surrounded by parishioners after the door-closing ceremony marking the formal close of the jubilee Year of Mercy after a mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Sunday. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 7 / 8 Archbishop Gomez leads a special mass marking the formal close of the jubilee Year of Mercy. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 8 / 8 Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez leads a ceremony marking the close of the Year of Mercy on Sunday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) That afternoon, with preparations in place, he had retreated to his private chapel and prayed. Most homilies take days to prepare, and he had a little more than an hour to find the words to ease the fear sweeping through the archdiocese. He was nervous. Like most everyone, the result of the election had surprised him. What was he supposed to say? After a year of insults, threats and bombast, the election had laid bare the vulnerability of the governed. His quiet, amplified voice echoed through the cavernous space as he continued. We are here to listen to their voices because they feel they are being forgotten. The prayer service had been organized at the last minute, inspired in part by a phone call from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcettis office, and only 100 or so congregants were in attendance. Garcetti spoke, as did leaders representing the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths. But for Gomez, who came to this country from Mexico, the service was an opportunity to show the churchs solidarity with the more than 3 million Latinos in the archdiocese. Thats what tonight is about, he said. Not politics. Its about people. The words had a personal meaning for Gomez, whose mothers family was from San Antonio and whose fathers family came from Monterrey, Mexico, where he was born. As a child, he crossed the bridge at Reynosa, Mexico-McAllen, Texas, to visit his mothers family during the summer and spring break. His father liked to fish, and they would go to Padre Island in Texas. Even though he had a passport and a tourist visa, la mica, he recalls how scary the border crossing was. Right now all across this city and in cities all across this country there are children who are going to bed scared, he said. From 2009 to 2015, more than 2.5 million people had been deported under the Obama administration. Now it appeared that many more were at risk. In the United States, there are 11.3 million undocumented immigrants, including the almost 750,000 so-called Dreamers, who had been given protection under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The president-elect has promised in the next two years to either pressure them to leave or deport them, which would mean taking 15,000 into custody every day. There are men and women who cant sleep because they are trying to figure out what to do when the government comes to take them away from their kids and their loved ones, Gomez said, mindful of families divided, of the children whove lost parents, of grandparents disappearing from their lives. He has long argued that economic desperation drives families to give up their homes and come to the United States. It is what makes Americans unique: not just their citizens immigrant past but their acceptance of newcomers. Immigration, he has written, is not a problem but an opportunity to renew the values that founded this country. After years of pastoral work in Mexico, he was assigned to a parish in San Antonio in 1987. He was ambivalent about going. He describes his ministry in Monterrey as beautiful. At first he applied for an R-1 visa for religious workers, and within six months, he had a permanent resident card, a green card. At the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, along with Rabbi Sharon Brous; Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council; and the Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard participate in In 1995, Gomez became a citizen, inspired, he says, by the chance to make a contribution to the United States. He says that many immigrants want to do the same. When he thinks about what it means to be an American, he says he thinks about his mother and her respect for others, her willingness to listen. But in the succeeding years he has watched the generosity of this country grow scarce, he says, reflecting upon the words of Pope Francis who has spoken about the culture of selfishness and individualism in society. In 2011, Gomez testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement and outlined the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in their opposition of workplace immigration raids and in favor of reform. Two years later, he represented the bishops position before the Senate Judiciary Committee. That same year he put his thoughts in a short book, Immigration and the Next America: Renewing the Soul of Our Nation. NEWSLETTER: Get essential California headlines delivered daily At the time there was the hope that politicians in Washington would fix the system. My fear, he wrote, is that in our frustration and anger, we are losing our grip and perspective. Im worried we are losing something of our national soul. His homily echoed this idea but with added urgency. We are better people than this, he said. We should not accept that this is the best we can hope for in our politics or in ourselves. Carolina Guevara, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said she is moved by the passion in the archbishops words. She also discerned a feeling of loss, a sense that all the progress advocating for a humane immigration system might be swept away. The night before the service, demonstrators burned an effigy of President-elect Donald Trumps head in front of City Hall. Some spray-painted graffiti denouncing the president-elect on buildings and sidewalks, and hundreds stormed onto the 101 Freeway north of downtown, shutting down traffic. That day, Gomez had tweeted: True civility means demonstrating real respect for other people, even if we are deeply opposed to their positions or even their worldview. Speaking in the cathedral, he needed to be more direct. The answer is not angry words or violence in the streets, he said. It never solves anything; it only inflames things more. Yet he understood frustration. He has lived with it through three administrations and doesnt understand why politicians against the wishes of their constituents have been unable to fix the immigration system. It seems to him that they dont want to. Tonight, he said, we promise our brothers and sisters who are undocumented, we will never leave you alone. En las buenas y en las malas. In good times and in bad, we are with you. You are family. When Ellie Hidalgo of the Dolores Mission heard the words en las buenas y en las malas, a popular idiom expressing the unbreakable bond, the love within a family she let out her breath. She had come to the cathedral with nearly 30 members of her Boyle Heights parish, families who wanted to know what the archbishop would say at such a precarious time. She now felt inspired. Lets pray that they can come together, in a spirit of national unity, and agree to stop the threat of deportations until we can fix our broken immigration Archbishop Jose Gomez Also tonight as we come together to pray for unity and to bind the wounds of division, said Gomez, borrowing a phrase from the president-elects election speech, we pray for our leaders, including our president-elect. Lets pray that they can come together, in a spirit of national unity, and agree to stop the threat of deportations until we can fix our broken immigration system. Gomez has never argued for a complete amnesty. He has said that those who are here illegally must be held accountable with fines, maybe community service, and educate themselves about the countrys laws and government. Deportation, he believes, is a punishment that doesnt fit the crime. And in the final words of his homily, he called upon the archdioceses most enduring symbol of hope and unification, a symbol of faith that endures across borders in times of peril. And may Our Lady of Guadalupe the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all the peoples of the Americas may she watch over us and help us to truly become one nation under God. ALSO San Diego judge who mediated Trump University case praised as steady hand That terror is seared into my memory: George Takei on Japanese internment, amid concerns about potential discriminatory policies targeting Muslims Border Patrol union welcomes Trumps proposed wall as a vital tool Police said Tuesday they had captured the blue-haired woman who scrawled anti-Donald Trump graffiti on four Los Angeles County buildings. Surveillance cameras filmed a woman Sunday as she used a can of blue spray paint to deface multiple walls in downtown L.A. with vulgarities about Trump and other writings about the president-elect, according to Deputy Kelvin Moody, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The markings were found on the Hall of Justice, Hall of Records, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center and the countys Central Heating and Refrigeration Plant. Advertisement Officials released surveillance images of the woman, who wore a plaid shirt and had a distinct mop of blue hair. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Department officers on patrol near 1st Street and Soto Avenue stopped a woman for having an open container in public and immediately recognized her as the suspect from the graffiti investigation. Officers arrested Victoria Jayne Bay, 37, on suspicion of felony vandalism. Listed as a transient, Bay was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, and its unclear if she was being represented by an attorney. The graffiti caused about $9,000 in damage. Crews were working to remove it. Court records show a woman with the same birth date and name as Bay pleaded no contest in 2004 to a prostitution charge. She was sentenced to 180 days in county jail, according to court records. In recent years, Bay has had numerous encounters with police, including a Jan. 13 arrest for allegedly being drunk in public, according to arrest records. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriffs Departments County Services Bureau at (213) 613-3908, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. To read the article in Spanish, click here matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. An argument between a couple in South L.A. ended with the man shooting his wife and two stepchildren, then turning the gun on himself, police said. The man, described as in his 50s, first shot his 39-year-old wife in the face, then his 10-year-old stepson in the leg and his 16-year-old stepdaughter in the back before fatally shooting himself, said LAPD Officer Mike Lopez. The stepdaughter was listed in critical condition and the mother was in stable condition, Lopez said. The boy was expected to survive. Advertisement The gunfire erupted shortly after 10 p.m. in the 1400 block of East 51st Street, according to Officer Aareon Jefferson, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Police had initially said the two children were 8 and 20 years old. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. joseph.serna@latimes.com ALSO Blue-haired woman arrested for scrawling anti-Trump graffiti on government buildings, police say South Gate police officer and wife found dead in Long Beach condo FBI closes inquiry into Brad Pitt over airplane incident; no charges filed UPDATES: 8:40 a.m.: This article was updated with the gunmans relationship to the victims. 7:15 a.m., Nov. 23: This article was updated with the age of one of the victims. 11:55 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about what led to the shooting and the number of victims involved. This article was originally published at 10:55 p.m. Nov. 22 Technology installed in four San Diego neighborhoods will inform officers when and where a shooting happens, even if no one calls it in. The police department this week announced that it had installed a system that can detect gunshots and send information to police in the southeastern communities of Valencia Park, Skyline, OFarrell and Lincoln Park. The system, called ShotSpotter, uses powerful audio sensors placed at least 30 feet above street level. Once the sensors pinpoint where a sound came from, the information is sent to a review center where employees of SST Inc., the for-profit company that developed the system, will determine whether it was gunfire. If the sound is determined to be gunfire, the incident is forwarded to police, a process the company says takes less than a minute. Officers in the field are told the location, the time of the shooting and the number of rounds fired. Advertisement Police said the hope is that the technology will act as a deterrent to gun violence and help officers respond more quickly. Critics are concerned the tool was installed with little to no community input and will contribute to the over-policing of communities of color. Installation of the sensors began in October. On Tuesday night, officers fired 36 shots as a test before the system went online. The department declined to cite specific locations or the number of devices installed. The system cost $245,000 under a one-year lease agreement. It was mostly paid for with asset forfeiture funds from the district attorneys office. The police department contributed $10,000, also from asset forfeiture funds. San Diego Police Lt. Scott Wahl said officials chose the four southeastern neighborhoods after researching which communities experienced high instances of gun crimes. Its about keeping our streets safe and protecting our communities from gun violence, Wahl said. We want to send a strong message that if someone does decide to shoot a gun, a police officer is going to be notified immediately. The technology is used in more than 90 cities worldwide, including New York, Milwaukee and Miami. Statistics curated by SST Inc., the company that created ShotSpotter, shows gunfire in cities that use the system decreased by a median of 13% in 2015. But the system is not without its critics. Christie Hill, a senior policy strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union, wrote that the technology may contribute to over-policing in San Diegos minority neighborhoods. She was also concerned that ShotSpotter was implemented without first getting input from the communities the tool would serve. Its deeply troubling that while the technology and tools of surveillance advance, the color of surveillance remains the same and basic transparency, oversight and accountability remain the exception, not the rule, she wrote in a blog post. Others worry the system will waste officers time by sending them to locations where no crime has occurred. A review of ShotSpotter data by the Miami Herald a year after the system was implemented in that city showed one in four alerts resulted in a documented crime. Other jurisdictions that tried the system out eventually cancelled it, saying it didnt help officers solve cases. Wahl said the department would evaluate ShotSpotter at the end of the year to determine whether it was effective and worth continuing or expanding. lindsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune ALSO What it could cost to rebuild California after a mega-quake: $289 billion Citing President-elect Trump, L.A. Council members announce policy to protect immigrant street vendors How a mosquito bite led to paralysis and turned this teachers life upside down A man who stole a San Diego police patrol SUV in Barrio Logan and then used it to run down an officer was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years and four months in prison. William Frank Bogard, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and other charges in connection with the January 2015 incident that injured Officer Jeffrey Swett. Bogard also tried to strike Officer Brett Byler with the SUV, but the officer was able to avoid the hit. Advertisement San Diego Superior Court Judge David Rubin sentenced Bogard in keeping with the plea agreement and ordered him to pay more than $304,000 restitution to the city for Swetts medical treatment and for damage to two police vehicles. Bogard previously entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in this case but later withdrew it. At a defense attorneys request, the judge recommended Bogard be screened for a higher level of psychiatric treatment while he is in prison. According to police and prosecutors, the two officers went to a home on Main Street in Barrio Logan on Jan. 13, 2015, when residents there reported a man outside was acting strangely. Police were told the man, later identified as Bogard, was breaking in through a window and threatening to kill them, Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon said at a previous court hearing. Bogard jumped into Swetts empty patrol vehicle and drove it at both officers, who drew their guns. Swett was hit and knocked to the ground. Byler fired four rounds, wounding Bogard in a leg. The SUV ran up a utility pole wire and got stuck with its front end in the air. At the sentencing Tuesday, Bogard said, Im deeply, deeply sorry for the way I affected all of your lives, your families lives. He said he had no explanation for what he had done but hoped his time in prison would help them heal. You have nothing to fear from me ever in life from this moment on, he said. Outside the courtroom, Swett a 26-year veteran of the police force who is back to full duty acknowledged the defendants apology and said he feels sorry for Bogards family. I never take it personally, he said. I just think he was looking to kill a police officer. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield A businessman pleaded guilty Tuesday to defrauding investors several of them from San Diego of millions of dollars through a marketing business that solicited potential plaintiffs for lawsuits against prescription drug and medical device manufacturers. David Aldrich, 43, co-founded Prometheus Law, or PLC, in 2013 and sought investors for the Los Angeles-based business, promising them hefty returns from proceeds of the lawsuits, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. According to the business model, plaintiffs for medical-related lawsuits would be sought out and then referred to a litigation firm. If the case won or settled, then Prometheus would get a portion of the fees for the referral, and that money would be passed down to investors, according to court records. Advertisement To lure investors, the company promised that as soon as claims were filed, the backers would be entitled immediately to money from other lawsuits that had already been settled, prosecutors said. Prometheus promised 100 percent to 300 percent returns. About 200 investors signed up, depositing more than $8.5 million with Prometheus. In reality, only 1 percent of the lawsuits had been settled, and most had not been litigated or successfully negotiated for settlement, prosecutors said. Promises that the investors funds were wholly secured by a lien were also untrue, as were assurances that investors could recoup their investments on demand. The company was only able to pay back about $300,000 to investors, prosecutors said, leaving most investors, many of them retirees, empty-handed. Co-founder James Catipay pleaded guilty to the same charge, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, in October. The Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a complaint against Prometheus, accuses the businessmen of misusing $5.6 million in investor funds for personal purposes, including more than $1 million for Aldrichs personal income taxes and another $1 million to buy a condominium. A Los Angeles federal court has appointed a receiver to recover money for investors, prosecutors said. Aldrich has agreed to pay $8.5 million in restitution. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis While driving along a residential road in Tierrasanta earlier this year, Julianne Little took her eyes off the road briefly but long enough for her to drive onto a sidewalk where she struck two young girls. Both victims suffered serious injuries. One of them a 10-year-old died at a hospital a few days later. Roughly nine months after the collision, a San Diego Superior Court jury has been asked to consider what drew Littles attention away from the road. Advertisement Was she distracted because she was texting while driving, as the prosecution contends? Or did she dose off while behind the wheel, as argued by the defense? She knew she hit those little girls while she was driving distracted, Deputy District Attorney Melissa Vasel said Tuesday morning during her closing argument, noting that Little failed to stop and call for help after the collision. Defense attorney Charles Quirk had a different take on the case, arguing that Little inadvertently fell asleep while driving and panicked once she realized she had driven onto the sidewalk. This was an accident, Quirk told the jury. It wasnt a purposeful act. After deliberating much of Tuesday afternoon, the jury said it had reached verdicts, which will be announced in Judge Lorna Alksnes courtroom Wednesday morning. Little, 31, of Tierrasanta faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run causing injury in connection with the incident that killed Raquel LeeAnn Rosete, 10. Raquel and her 12-year-old friend had been walking to a McDonalds restaurant the evening of Feb. 20, when they were struck on the sidewalk along Santo Road near Shields Street. Passers-by found the girls on the ground and stopped to help. Little, who was driving a Toyota Corolla, kept going but returned to the scene less than 30 minutes later with her father. She had a ton of opportunities to stop, the prosecutor said in court Tuesday. She just wanted to make it to her home safe. Who cares about the little girls she left behind? Raquel suffered brain injuries and died at a hospital. Her friend spent two days in a hospital after suffering a concussion and fractures to both of her ankles. The prosecutor argued that the evidence showed Little had been using her cellphone either just before or at the time she drove over a 5-foot buffer and a 6-foot bike lane and onto the sidewalk. All four wheels of the Corolla left the roadway. She knew what she did, the prosecutor said, noting that the front-end damage to the car should have indicated to Little right away that she had hit something or someone. She knew she was distracted while she was driving, Vasel said. The prosecutor argued that the choices the defendant made before the collision including driving while fatigued were evidence of gross negligence, which support the gross vehicular manslaughter charge. The defense contended there was no evidence of gross negligence, only ordinary negligence and that the panel should find her guilty of a lesser charge. Falling asleep while driving is not gross negligence, said Quirk, who urged the jury to follow the law and not be swayed by the emotion of the case. He argued that the timing of the text message on Littles phone, along with evidence presented by investigators, doesnt support a finding that she was texting at the time she was driving. He also noted that Little did not try to erase any text messages or get rid of her phone before she was questioned by police. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield Julianne Little wasnt texting and she wasnt fatigued, a jury found, but she was distracted when she drove onto a sidewalk in Tierrasanta in February, striking two young girls. One of them 10-year-old Raquel LeeAnn Rosete died a few days later of brain injuries. The jurors deliberated less than an hour Tuesday afternoon, and their verdicts were announced Wednesday morning. The jury found Little, 31, guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter, with an allegation that she fled the scene, and felony hit and run causing injury. Advertisement San Diego Superior Court Judge Lorna Alksne scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 19. Throughout the trial, the courtroom was filled with family members of the two victims as well as the defendants supporters. There were tears on both sides of the room when the verdicts were read. Outside the courtroom, Raquels sister Jessica Rosete said she felt relief tempered with loss. Im very happy for the verdict, said the 21-year-old, who has a tattoo on the left side of her chest of her sisters name written in thin, cursive script. My sister, she still isnt here. Rosete, who stood with several family members as she spoke to reporters, said she wasnt particularly surprised by the verdicts. Any juror, any normal, decent human being would have known automatically that she was guilty, she said. The fatal crash happened the evening of Feb. 20, as Raquel and her 12-year-old friend were on the sidewalk to a nearby McDonalds restaurant. They were hit as they walked along Santo Road near Shields Street. The 12-year-old girl was seriously injured but survived. Little, who was behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla, kept driving after the impact and went to her parents home. She returned to the scene less than 30 minutes later with her father. Deputy District Attorney Melissa Vasel argued that Little was distracted and had possibly been texting. There was evidence that she sent a text around the time of the crash. Littles defense lawyers, Charles Quirk and Anna Yum, contended their client had not been texting while driving. Instead, they said, Little fell asleep at the wheel and panicked when she realized she had driven off the road. In his closing argument, Quirk conceded that Little was guilty of vehicular manslaughter, but he argued that her behavior constituted ordinary negligence, not gross negligence. The jurors made findings indicating they did not believe Little was texting or fatigued at the time of the crash, but found that her behavior was grossly negligent. Little faces a possible prison term of up to 11 years and eight months at sentencing. RELATED An Oceanside woman was sentenced Friday to 21 years to life in prison for intentionally drowning her toddler son after learning shed have to split custody of the boy with his father. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield 1 / 9 Mesa College student Joshua Foster, left, serves himself some salad as he and other students go through the line. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 9 Mesa College student Connal McLean, right, serves fellow student Johnna Hanson. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 9 Gravy is ladled on to a plate. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 9 Mesa College student Tad Tobar walks toward one of the tables with a full plate of food. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 9 Mesa College student Tad Tobar, left, and Jose Quijada eat. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 9 Students eat turkey and ham during the Thanksgiving feast for students who are unable to go home for Thanksgiving. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 9 Students Desiree Johnduran, right, and Carissa Carrasquillo eat during the Thanksgiving feast for students who are unable to go home for Thanksgiving. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 9 Band Three Chamber Heart play as students eat. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 9 Mesa College alumni and food server volunteer Marsha Lanuzo dances to the music of Three Chamber Heart during the Thanksgiving feast for students who are unable to go home for Thanksgiving. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) Some of the students were far away from their families. Some were struggling with food insecurity. And some were facing other challenges. On Tuesday, all of them still had something to be thankful for thanks to the thoughtfulness of fellow students at two community colleges. Advertisement Our overall goal is to make sure everybody at Mesa has a Thanksgiving feast, said Ava Fakhrabdi, president of the colleges Associated Student Government, which organized a catered meal for about 100 people Tuesday afternoon on the campus in the Linda Vista neighborhood. During the same afternoon, about 300 students at Southwestern College in Chula Vista attended an early Thanksgiving meal organized by the schools Associated Student Organization. We started it because many students on campus are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their family, said Yasmeen Obeid, social vice president for the student group at Southwestern. The (Associated Student Organization) wanted to create something that would benefit those students and make them feel at home, she added. Mesa began serving Thanksgiving dinner to its students two years ago, while Southwestern started last year. At Mesa, the meal was catered by Boston Market and cost $2,000. The dinner at Southwestern used staff from the colleges food services department and cost about $5,000. Both of the bills were covered by the student organizations budgets. Tuesdays events were open to all students, although early invitations were aimed at military veterans, international students, former foster children in the Guardian Scholars program and students who had registered to use food pantries on either campus. I think this is one event that really makes us feel like were a community on campus, Fakhrabadi said. At Southwestern, student development director Brett Robertson said some staff members who heard about the student-organized dinner volunteered to help serve food. Students sometimes come up with the most wonderful ideas, he said. Over at Mesa College, the Associated Student Government program HOST Hope Offered to Students in Transition established the Thanksgiving communal meal. The program evolved from a homeless-outreach effort at the school into a broader focus on various types of students in need. Student Angela Arreagu, chair of Mesas Interclub Council, had served food at the inaugural event and helped to coordinate Tuesdays meal. Arreagu said she knows what its like to miss out on a family Thanksgiving because her mother had to work on the holiday two years ago. I didnt have any place to go on Thanksgiving, she said. Joshua Foster, another Mesa student, said he was hoping to meet peers who might be interested in joining a campus improv club with him. Fellow student Allan Hill said simply: Were just poor college students and want some food. The band Three Chamber Heart performed some hard-rock music during the meal, and some students went home with restaurant vouchers and other gifts given as part of a raffle drawing. Victoria Miller, dean of student affairs at Mesa College, said the student-organized dinner was a demonstration of how people at the school care for one another. At Mesa, we pride ourselves in community and building relationships with our students, she said. What better way is there than our own students doing this for other students? Miller said many professors and staff members at Mesa and elsewhere contacted her asking if they could help out with the event. Among them was Bob Benton, a classified staff member from Miramar College who said he was looking to volunteer with a worthwhile cause when he heard about the dinner. Mesa and Miramar are in the San Diego Community College District. Its putting the community into community college and giving back to the students, Benton said. Mesa chemistry professor Rob Fremland also was part of Tuesdays gathering. He and Benton stood side by side, serving sliced turkey. We all work for the students, and this is all about the students, Fremland said. You want to support a day like this. We have students who are wealthy and some who dont know where their next meal is coming from. Other colleges in San Diego County have or will help students celebrate Thanksgiving as well. At UC San Diego, international students will have a chance to dine with local families on Thursday as part of the Thanksgiving Exchange program, and the annual All Campus Feast will be held on the universitys La Jolla campus at Cafe Ventanas that same day. At Palomar College in San Marcos, Extended Opportunities Programs and Services gave 200 economically and socially disadvantaged students $30 gift certificates to Albertsons supermarkets on Nov. 18. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Humanities will have a higher profile at UC San Diego in coming years with speaker and film series, collaboration among disciplines and public events planned for the schools new institute devoted to the discipline. An actual building for the Institute or Arts and Humanities still is five years away, but it already has hosted its first author reception and speaker series, and has another series planned for January. With the University of San Diego opening its own Humanities Center this year, UC San Diegos new institute is another sign that schools are paying greater attention to the area after years of focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Advertisement One of the reasons for this rise in renewed and continued interest in the humanities is that were living in challenging times, said professor Luis Alvarez, who was appointed in July to be the co-director with professor Mark Hanna of the new Institute of Arts and Humanities. I think the Institute of Arts and Humanities here really sees the humanities and the arts as being the vehicle that can equip students, faculty and the wider public with the kind of judgment, empathy and the imagination to make sense of the challenges that face us all, Alvarez said. Alvarez said the institute also will help disciplines at the university get out of their silos and work with one another, the community and other schools. Last month, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded UC San Diego and the San Diego Community College District $2.6 million in grant money that will, among other things, allow faculty members from both systems to create a new humanities curriculum. Cristina Della Coletta, dean of Arts and Humanities at UC San Diego, said she got the idea for the institute after asking her faculty members what the school needed after she arriving two years ago from the University of Virginia, where she spearheaded the creation the Institute of Global Humanities while associate dean for arts and humanities. It was serendipity that we found out that what the faculty wanted to promote and support was in part what I had been doing, promoting and supporting in the University of Virginia, she said. But whats fascinating me was what I can do differently, and what I can do here differently is exciting. The creation of the institute coincides with the planning of a new humanities building that will be built as part of the Living and Learning neighborhood, which will include classrooms and student housing. The building is scheduled to open in 2021 and will house the departments of history, literature and philosophy, now on different parts of the campus. It also will provide space for the Institute of Arts and Humanities, including a conference room and venue to show a planned series of historical and new films.. There was a real hunger from my faculty to create something that would really reunite and invigorate the many efforts that were going on in our humanities and arts department, particularly on the interdisciplinary side that were somewhat disconnected, Della Coletta said. The institute recently hosted its first lecture series, Challenging Conversations, which included a talk at UC San Diego and another at City College. We really believe in spreading the humanities beyond the precinct of this university, Della Coletta said. Its very important for us to move beyond the campus, to bring our faculty to the community and bring our students to the community. The institute also has hosted a reception for professors who recently published books, and in January the annual Degrees lecture series will focus on the humanities. Della Coletta said the institute has a core focus on four areas: Equity, diversity and inclusion, global arts and humanities, public arts and humanities, and digital arts and humanities. Whats going to happen in five years is, hopefully were going to have a well-structured institute that has both a local and global footprint around those core things, Della Coletta said. We hope these four clusters will define the institute, and the institute will be a household name, not only in the local community but also nationally and globally. It will have intersected with the major arts and humanities institutions in the nation. The institute also will be a vehicle for collaboration among disciplines, with humanities and science students possibly working together on research and other projects. In one example, Della Coletta said humanities professors may help in the dissertations of students studying in different fields. With more educators and businesses seeing the importance of having a workforce with critical thinking skills and imagination, Alvarez said students should be studying humanities. I tell this to my graduates all the time, he said. The arts and humanities matter, not just because I want you to learn something, but because if youre an engineer or a chemist or a scientist, knowing something about the communities youre from and youll work in will make a better doctor and better scientist. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Budding environmentalists at Bayside STEAM Academy in Imperial Beach are using augmented reality to learn how climate changes can alter the terrain. Bayside students are creating interactive environments in an Augmented Reality Sandbox, which allows them to shape sand into topographical models mountains, plains, rivers, lakes and clouds that get augmented in real time with a 3D video camera and overhead projector used to cast a relief map on the area. Children then tinker with the different elements and analyze data produced when the sandboxs computer responds with a new map. Advertisement School officials said Bayside is the first elementary school in the county to have the high-tech learning tool, which debuted this school year. Given our proximity to San Diego Bay, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Otay River, its important for our students to understand land forms, erosion and climate, said teacher Michael Moran. Fourth graders at Bayside, which serves about 530 children in kindergarten through sixth grade, are using the sandbox for a project that explores how to improve the ability of wetlands to absorb higher tidal flows and rainfall, Moran said. Last May, trustees approved a name change for the campus that would reflect the schools new focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). The district celebrated the programs launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 16. Teachers and administrators did a lot of homework before the school year started last July. A STEAM Team worked for a year to create the program, introduce STEAM-related activities at every grade level and add an engineering lab to the campus. Researching the lab was a job of its own. Planning included visits to the Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab; Feaster Charter School, a K-8 campus in the Chula Vista Elementary School District with a Thinkabit Lab it created; and the Casita Center for Technology, Science and Math in the Vista Unified School District. Follow me @HuardSDUT After two weeks of tabulating ballots, the Registrar of Voters Office expects the rate it counts votes to slow as it begins a more tedious and labor-intensive phase of the counting process. Officials have so far counted nearly every mail-in ballot free of stray marks, water damage or any other problem that would require some sort of adjudication. Now, most of the remaining ballots have time-consuming issues that need to be resolved before they can be counted, Registrar of Voters Michael Vu said Tuesday. I anticipate that today will be the last of the big numbers on what we count. Then well see them drop. All the low-hanging fruit ballots have been counted, Vu said. Advertisement As of Tuesday night, an estimated 106,000 uncounted mail-in and provisional ballots remained. Vu said it was difficult to determine how many remain in specific districts because ballots are in different stages of the counting process. The office typically counts thousands of votes a day. At least 400 employees are involved in the process, up from the registrars regular 66-person staff. Theyre working past 9 p.m. on weekdays and coming in on weekends. They wont work the night before Thanksgiving or on the holiday, Vu said. He didnt know when all of the votes would be counted, including ballots in the closely watched District 3 county supervisor race between incumbent Dave Roberts and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar or the House contest between Republican Rep. Darrell Issa and Democrat Doug Applegate. Vu said the office would meet the states Dec. 8 deadline to certify the election. Even after most of the votes are counted, there will still be stragglers that are added later, Vu said. In the Tuesday night vote count, Gaspar led in District 3 with 50.15 percent to Roberts 49.85 percent, a 659-vote difference. Thats her largest lead since the Nov. 8 election. In Congressional District 49, which covers parts of San Diego and Orange counties, Issa led Applegate by a 3,234-vote margin. The remaining uncounted ballots take more time to count because some were faxed by deployed service members and need to be transferred onto cards that an optical scanner can read, Vu said. Others were damaged in some way that are unreadable by the registrars machines and need to be transferred to new ballots, he said. With provisional ballots, officials also have to determine if the voters were eligible to cast a ballot and what races they can participate in. If they voted in a contest they were not authorized for, staff has to redact their errant vote before the rest of the ballot is scanned. Twitter: @jptstewart joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1841 Powerful technology installed in four San Diego neighborhoods will inform officers when and where shootings happen, even if no one calls it in. The San Diego Police Department announced Tuesday it has installed a system that detects gunshots and sends information to police in the southeastern communities of Valencia Park, Skyline, OFarrell and Lincoln Park. The system, called ShotSpotter, uses powerful audio sensors placed at least 30 feet above street level to determine when and where shootings take place. Once the sensors pinpoint where the shots came from, the sound is sent to a review center where someone determines if it was gunfire. Advertisement If it is, the incident is forwarded to police. Officers in the field get the location, time of the shooting, the number of rounds. They also can get information such as how many shooters are present and if theyre on the move. Police hope the technology will act as a deterrent to gun violence and help officers respond more quickly to gun crimes. Critics are concerned the tool was installed with little to no community input and will contribute to the over-policing of communities of color. The sensors were installed starting in October. On Tuesday night, officers fired 36 shots to test the system, which went online soon after. Police and ShotSpotter personnel went door-to-door informing community members of the test. The police department declined to cite specific locations or number of devices. The system cost $245,000 under a one-year lease agreement. It was mostly paid for with asset forfeiture funds from the District Attorneys Office. The police department contributed $10,000, also from asset forfeiture funds. San Diego police Lt. Scott Wahl said police officials chose the four southeastern neighborhoods after researching which communities in San Diego experienced high instances of gun crimes. The neighborhoods selected were high on the list and close in proximity. Its about keeping our streets safe and protecting our communities from gun violence, Wahl said. We hope this is a deterrent and prevents gun violence from even occurring, but we want to send a strong message that if someone does decide to shoot a gun, a police officer is going to be notified immediately. Wahl said police officials gathered community input during informal meetings with community leaders. He said the department has been researching the technology for nearly a year, which included speaking with other cities that had implemented the technology and members of San Diego City Council. Councilmember Myrtle Cole, who represents the four communities where the sensors were installed, couldnt be reached Tuesday night for comment. The technology is used in more than 90 cities worldwide including New York, Milwaukee and Miami, and has been lauded by some mayors and police officials who have implemented the system. Statistics curated by SST, Inc., the Newark-based company that created ShotSpotter, shows gunfire in cities that use the system decreased by a median of 13 percent in 2015. The company produces a report called the National Gunfire Index, which analyzes data from cities that have employed the technology. Of the 46 cities included in their 2015 analysis, 36 saw decreases in rates of gunfire. Nineteen saw decreases greater than 20 percent. But the system is not without its critics. Christie Hill, a senior policy strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union San Diego & Imperial Counties, wrote that the technology may contribute to over-policing in San Diegos minority neighborhoods. She was also concerned that ShotSpotter was implemented without first getting input from the communities the tool would serve. Its deeply troubling that while the technology and tools of surveillance advance, the color of surveillance remains the same and basic transparency, oversight, and accountability remain the exception, not the rule, she wrote in a blog post on the technology. Hill, and other critics, also raised privacy concerns. ShotSpotter is always sensing for sound. The system is designed to only pick up and pass on noises loud enough to be construed as a gunshot, but sensors retain all detected audio for 72 hours, according to the products website. Others worry the system will waste officers time by sending them to locations where no crime has occurred. A review of ShotSpotter data by Florida newspaper The Miami Herald a year after the system was implemented showed only one in four alerts resulted in a documented crime. Other jurisdictions who tried the system out eventually cancelled it, claiming it didnt help officers solve cases. Wahl said the department will evaluate ShotSpotter at the end of the year to determine whether it was effective and whether its worth continuing or expanding. Breaking News Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com They hoard water, manufacture food at night and con their helpers into working for free. Beneath their celebrated blooms, desert wildflowers are survivalists plants that vigorously defend their place in a hard, parched land. Some shed their leaves at the first hint of drought, while others stash water in succulent tissue or shield it from evaporation with delicate hairs. There are tricksters that reproduce by scamming pollinators with false promises of mates and nectar. Behind its spring flower majesty, the California desert is a laboratory for such dry-weather adaptations. Advertisement Desert annuals, the showy blooms that carpet canyons in spring, persist by living fast and dying young. They spend water lavishly to grow broad green leaves and flashy blossoms during rains, and then swiftly go to seed. These fast-growing showy annuals grow in the desert when its not really a desert, said Travis Huxman, director of the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. They just have to get their life cycles taken care of in really quick order. Then there are the old-timers: age-tested cacti and creosote, which can live for decades through clever water-conservation schemes. From nighttime photosynthesis to sophisticated moisture barriers, they employ a host of strategies to make the most of scarce supplies of water. Everything is driven by aridity here, said Kate Harper, a botanist in Borrego Springs. Thats the driving force. How can I lose as little moisture as possible while still creating the sugar I need to live and grow? How can I grab moisture and keep it? Wildflowers are starting to bloom now at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and other desert locales, and they typically peak in late March and April. While botanists said low rainfall may lessen this years display, theres still plenty of color if you observe closely. The trick about looking at desert flowers is to get out of your car, walk out a ways and look at things, said Judy Gibson, collection manager for the botany department at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The following is an introduction to some flowers that populate Southern Californias deserts and chaparral shrub lands, focused on how they gain a roothold in rock and sand. Included are some mainstays of the region plants you can see even in low water years along with more unusual blooms. Barrel cactus Ferocactus cylindraceus Stout succulents shaped like their namesake, these plants are experts at retaining water. The thick, cylindrical stem has vertical pleats that expand when the plant absorbs water. This allows the cactus to increase its volume by up to 50 percent in high water conditions and then shrink back in dry weather. Like other cacti, the barrel cactus absorbs carbon dioxide at night through a process called CAM photosynthesis. That means the cactus opens its stomata pores on its stem that control gas exchange when the weather is cooler, cutting moisture loss. Its spines also safeguard moisture by shielding it from the wind. In spring, the barrel cactus blossoms with yellow, red or fuchsia flowers. Chuparosa Justicia californica The chuparosa reduces water loss by having just a few scattered leaves. It instead depends on its light green stems to photosynthesize. Hummingbirds visit the plants flowers, giving it its name which is based on the Spanish verb chupar, meaning to suck. Ancient Greeks used leaves from the Mediterranean variety of chuparosa as decoration for the capital of the Corinthian column. Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens With serpentine branches 10 to 20 feet high tipped with flaming red flowers, the ocotillo towers over other desert flora. The ocotillo is drought deciduous: It can sprout leaves almost overnight in wet weather and drop those leaves as soon as the weather turns dry. If it gets wet, they photosynthesize like crazy, setting up that sugar factory, said Harper, the botanist in Borrego Springs. The plant is so effective at producing leaves quickly that it can do so without nutrients from its roots. Cut specimens will sprout leaves when soaked in water. Creosote Larrea tridentata These low-lying shrubs with yellow blossoms are some of the most drought-tolerant plants in North America. Creosote branches die off in dry years. Then cloned sprouts pop up around it, forming creosote rings that can stretch many meters across and live thousands of years. Scientists estimate that a particular king creosote in the Mojave Desert is 11,700 years old. Thick, resinous leaves help keep in water, while the plants bitter smell and flavor help keep herbivores away. Its flowers rotate after being fertilized, making the petals less obvious and diverting pollinators to the unfertilized flowers. Desert annuals Wallaces daisy, whispering bells, desert primrose, common phacelia Desert annuals are classic spring field flowers. Theyre also rock stars of the floral world, taking center stage before fading out. Their strategy is drought avoidance. These ephemeral plants live in seed for most of the year, explode into blossom during wet months and then go to seed again, biding time until their next comeback. Individual flowers have other specialized features, such as fine hairs on their leaves to slow down moisture loss or seed inhibitors that prevent germination until enough rain washes them off. The seeds are their legacy, Harper said. Ghost flower Mohavea confertiflora Named for its ethereal and pale yellow blooms, this flower has uncommon adaptations. It employs double mimicry, impersonating both a nectar-producing plant and a female bee. The ghost flower looks similar to the blazing star, an unrelated species. The blazing star produces nectar, and the ghost flower rides on its coattails: It entices bees with the promise of nourishment, but without the metabolic expense of actually producing any. The flower also features a red design that resembles a female bee. This fake insect tempts male bees, affording cheap and easy pollination, said Gibson at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Thats another kind of dirty trick lure the male bees in with an imitation female bee, she said. Next time you grab an Uber or Lyft at San Diego International Airport, you may want to take a closer look at your bill. Attorney Kamran Hamidi claims a $4.06 trip fee added to that bill -- one levied by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and passed directly on to users of the popular app-based ride-hailing services -- is actually an illegal tax enacted without the will of the voters. And tax policy experts think he may be onto something. Advertisement Hamidi -- who in June filed a claim against the authority over its use of a similar fee extracted from taxi passengers -- last week told the airport authority board members the levy constitutes a violation of Californias Proposition 13, the 1978 constitutional amendment requiring voters consent to raise special taxes. He likened the surcharge to a tourism tax hike voters this month rejected as a means to pay for a proposed convadium in downtown San Diego. Hamidi went on to accuse airport authority board members of allowing staff to quietly raise the charge -- meant to encourage rideshare drivers to convert to more eco-friendly vehicles -- by more than $2 over the past five months. Why are (rideshare company) Prius passengers being taxed $4.06 per trip when the board approved $1.67 in June? he asked. Staff is illegally taxing the public when everyone else the convadium, Plaza de Panama and school districts all have to go to a public vote. Its a complete mess. Staff has tax blood on its hands. The airport authority declined to comment on a claim Hamidi filed this month alleging the fee change amounted to a $500,000-per-year tax on rideshare users. Airport spokeswoman Rebecca Bloomfield said charges levied on Uber and Lyft trips were indeed adjusted to reflect increased costs associated with creating a board-approved hold lot for ride-hailing drivers. She did not directly answer a question about whether board members OKd that adjustment. Bloomfield said the airport authority does not assess or collect taxes of any kind, but reserves the right to collect fees from airport users, including taxi, Uber and Lyft drivers. The airport uses those collections to pay for road maintenance, traffic officers and other operating costs, including vehicle hold lots. She said the need for the surcharge opposed by Hamidi stemmed from an almost decade-old agreement with the California Attorney General. That deal, aimed at reducing the airports greenhouse gas emissions, called for the adoption of an incentive-based program to promote the use of cleaner fuel taxis and other passenger pick-up vehicles. Fees from the program generated almost $5 million in revenue for the airport in fiscal year 2016, more than one-third of which was collected from ride-hailing companies. Bloomfield acknowledged drivers with those companies passed the cost of the fee directly on to passengers, though she was was careful to point out the airport collects the charge from permit holders only, not from passengers. Yet California tax experts suspect Hamidi may have legal grounds to oppose the levy. Jon Coupal -- president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and principal drafter of Proposition 218, the states Right to Vote on Taxes Act -- said the fee seemed excessive and likely warranted additional scrutiny. The question is what is the nexus between the payer and the activity? Coupal said. If its a legitimate environmental mitigation fee, why are they only assessing it at the airport? Timothy Bittle, the associations director of legal affairs, agreed. He noted that under California law, tiered fees -- such as those based on the eco-friendliness of an Uber drivers vehicle -- must be justified by actual costs. Unless the airport authority remits some of the fee revenue to the regional Air Quality Control Board, or uses it to purchase emission credits, justification for the tiers escapes us, Bittle said. Adrian Moore, vice president of the libertarian Reason Foundation, said he was confident the surcharge would legally qualify as a fee, though not a very fair one. Economically, this fee is neither equitable or efficient, he said. It is just getting money from a source the airport authority knows will pass the cost on. It wont be transparent to payers and so meets little resistance while padding their budget. Bloomfield said ride-hailing company drivers, and by extension their passengers, could pay a discounted per-trip fee of $1.74 if companies like Uber and Lyft reported the use of alternative fuel and clean air vehicles -- something the companies last week made clear they were not prepared to do, citing driver privacy concerns. Company representatives told airport authority board members they preferred an emissions-cutting solution based on in-app carpooling options that match more than one passenger to a single driver. Several appointees to the 12-member airport board expressed skepticism over the companies reluctance to hand over driver emissions data. Other members balked at an airport staff proposal, modeled on procedures implemented at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, that they feared could prompt rideshare companies to leave the airport entirely. After a nearly hour-long back-and-forth between pink shirt-clad Lyft drivers and sign-toting cabbies, the board opted to return to the matter in January. Until then, ride-hailing drivers will continue to operate, and passengers will continue to pay, under the existing fee structure. So long as thats the case, Hamidi plans to keep fighting. RELATED From the time he was a teenager, Daniel Bledsoe found himself on the front lines of history, first as a Marine who became one of the Chosin Few and later as the FBI agent who initiated the investigation into the Watergate break-in. He did both out of a sense of duty. Mr. Bledsoe died of complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia Oct. 23 at his home in El Cajon. He was 86. Advertisement Mr. Bledsoe was a 19-year-old Marine Corps reservist when he was called up to fight in the Korean War. He landed in Korea with the 1st Marine Division as part of the Inchon invasion, which put Marines behind enemy lines. He served as a scout sniper under Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell Chesty Puller, the most decorated Marine in history, and Capt. Robert Hilliard Barrow, who would later become commandant of the Marine Corps. During the winter of 1950 amid the Chosin Reservoir campaign, Mr. Bledsoe and his brothers in arms would come face-to-face with enemy troops while fighting in temperatures that dropped to 40 below. The Marines who survived the battle came to be known as The Chosin Few. We veterans felt that our mission in Korea was just, and that we defeated communism, he said in a May 2009 interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune. We taught China and Russia that they could not just come and take a country. I am proud of my service. Daniel Francis Bledsoe was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Salt Lake City, the only child of Thomas Bledsoe and Ima Woodmansee Bledsoe. He held a bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco and a masters from Pepperdine University. Following his graduation from the University of San Francisco, Mr. Bledsoe was appointed a special agent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He served in the Houston and Chicago field offices before being assigned to FBI headquarters in Washington. It was there, as the weekend duty supervisor on June 17, 1972, that an overnight report landed on his desk about the electronic eavesdropping equipment found in connection to a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex. He immediately opened a case under federal wiretapping statutes, which he said prompted a threatening phone call from John Ehrlichman, a key adviser to President Richard Nixon, within hours. Before retiring in 1980, he served on the faculty at the FBI Academy in Quantico and in the field office here in San Diego. Mr. Bledsoe was an accomplished horseman who competed internationally in three-day events where horse and rider test their skills in dressage, cross-country and show jumping. During the 1984 Olympics, he served on the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for Equestrian Endurance Events at Fairbanks Ranch and was a managing member of the cross-country competition held in Rancho Santa Fe. He and Bette Mahoney Bledsoe were married 42 years before her death in 1998. Survivors include a son, Paul of Virginia; and a daughter, Susanne Bledsoe of Maryland. A memorial service was held. Burial in Salt Lake City was planned. Donations to the Salvation Army were suggested. This story was updated Dec. 2 to correct Mr. Bledsoes date of death. RELATED While I agree with Bruce St. Gean (Drastic measures needed to save trees, Nov. 22) that drought conditions have sparked a die-off in California mountain pines due to the subsequent and opportunistic pine beetle infestations, his advocating of indiscriminate aerial spraying to control these beetles is not the answer. Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191. You can also leave a comment below Advertisement Indiscriminate aerial spraying will kill far more than the targeted insects, inflicting greater harm than good. We need more rain, plain and simple. Our best approach to saving not only our trees, but also life, as we know it, is to doing everything in our power to combat climate change. Greg Bowerman Pine Valley Give Trump the chance the Republicans gave Obama I must both agree and disagree with letter writer Jim Biers (Planning, not protests, mark path forward, Nov. 16). I think we have a fairly good idea what direction Donald Trump wishes to take the country with the selection of science-denier Myron Ebell to head the EPA transition team and the selection of Steve Bannon as chief strategist. On the other hand, I agree President-elect Trump deserves the same opportunities to govern as were given to President Obama. Obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. And when Democrats dont get what they want, just shut down the government. Wyman Hack El Cajon At least support for Calexit sends important message Regarding All this Calexit talk is just a waste of time (Nov. 12): As a Never Trump Republican and U.S. Navy veteran, I am appalled and embarrassed that Donald Trump was elected president. I, for one, will never support this undemocratically elected and disgraceful person. I will support Calexit. While the U-T editorial board is correct when it writes that secession is unconstitutional, it is important to send a message that America is not one nation indivisible but completely divided. California, as the most populous and successful state, is in a unique position to deliver this message of opposition. Further, the Electoral College system must be eliminated in presidential elections. This antiquated and unresponsive system has delivered the presidencies of George W. Bush and Donald Trump while more American citizens voted for their opponents. Ken Blalack La Mesa The media should not feed into Trumps narcissism Regarding Trump unloads on media in meeting (Nov. 22): During his campaign debates, in response to a question, Trump said he wouldnt answer and would keep us in suspense. It appears that Trump likes the control and ability to manipulate as he sees fit. He is enjoying keeping the media and the public in the dark until hes ready to include us. Factually speaking, his governing is going to happen regardless of whether the press or the public knows. This passive/aggressive (withholding) is common among controlling individuals. My advice to the press: a media boycott of Trump. Just stop giving him coverage. He loves the attention so hell come around when the coverage stops. Its human nature to want what one doesnt have. Nino Y. Williams Lakeside Our nation cant turn its back on the environment I side with scientists who are concerned about President-elect Trumps statements about climate change and environmental regulations in the U-Ts article (Trump has climate change skeptics eager, scientists and green groups anxious, Nov. 21). The stakes of climate change and clean air and water are too high for politicians to ignore basic science just to follow an ideological agenda. I urge the incoming president to stay in and enforce the Paris climate agreements. I urge for common-sense regulations for clean air and water. I urge the national government to follow San Diegos lead to implement strong goals for climate. Most importantly, I urge for a revenue-neutral, national carbon fee and dividend plan advocated by nonprofit group Citizens Climate Lobby. James Long El Cajon Electoral College protects voters from themselves Regarding More views on the Electoral College (Nov. 19): The U.S. Constitution, in Article 1, lays out the election of the executive branch, known as the president of the United States, through the use of the Electoral College. The 12th Amendment to the Constitution revised the Electoral College in 1804. It has been well thought out. It is the law of the land. If you want to change the Electoral College, get the Constitution of the United States amended again. By the way, you will need a two-thirds majority of both houses of the United States legislative branch to pass a proposed amendment, plus the ratification of three-quarters of the legislative bodies of all the states, not just the most populated ones. Good luck getting the least populated states to fall in line and give up the only leverage they have in electing the chief executive. So stop it already with the protesting and get to work. Chuck Thiele Santee Climate is always changing, and it will continue to The skeptical part of global warming is not that warming is occurring but rather that humans are the ultimate root cause. Climate change has not stopped since the dawn of time this fact cannot be denied. It is likely, in my opinion, that humans can no more change the climate than be the primary causal source of global warming (or cooling) trends. Computer models, the primary harbinger of global catastrophe, have been shown to be inaccurate and dont factor basic elements such as the suns radiation, cloud cover or global moisture cycles. The models are just guesses based on incomplete data and political factors (assumptions) built into the modeling programs, which are shaped by government funding. Lloyd Kitson La Mesa Hard to fathom what kids can learn from Trump In an effort to instill good character values in my children as they grow up, I have on many occasions looked to past U.S. presidents to show my kids examples of good character. Indeed, I have pointed out to my kids, to make sure to learn from the humbleness of Abraham Lincoln, the class and charisma of John F. Kennedy, the empathy and vision of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the strong work ethic of Dwight Eisenhower, the leadership and communication skills of Ronald Reagan, the social conscience and civility of Barack Obama, and even the people skills of Bill Clinton. Sadly, I cant point out one thing I want my kids, especially my boys, to learn from a President Donald Trump. Rene Loaiza Chula Vista Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Its not just California politicians setting themselves up as foils for President-elect Donald Trump . Just days after meeting with Trump to outline some of the biggest concerns of the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio is taking to Twitter to promise he will fight the fellow New Yorkers administration, if necessary. He targeted Trump and some of his campaign rhetoric without mentioning him by name, drawing praise and criticism. Monday in Manhattan, de Blasio gave a speech explaining how he intends to address New Yorkers concerns. We will use all the tools at our disposal to stand up for our people, de Blasio said before addressing some possible Trump administration policies one by one. If all Muslims are required to register, we will take legal action to block it. If the federal government wants our police officers to tear immigrant families apart, we will refuse to do it. If the federal government tries to deport law-abiding New Yorkers who have no representation, we will step in. We will work and build on the work of the city council to provide these New Yorkers with the lawyers they need to protect them and their families. He mentioned a few other issue before saying, This is New York. Nothing about who we are changed on Election Day. He tweeted out a video of the speech with #AlwaysNewYork on Tuesday. The clip was shared widely on social media. As news of his message spread, some reaction was positive. But many rejected the speech for a variety of reasons. What did you think of de Blasios speech? Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin ALSO Trump should renounce Muslim registry. America is better than that. We all know the images and tales of Thanksgiving. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony held a three-day communal feast with the native Wampanoag Indians. This event is popularly celebrated as the origin of the American tradition. However, the first Thanksgiving on this continent was not celebrated by pilgrims on the East Coast. It likely involved Spanish explorers about 80 years before the pilgrims. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and 16-hundred of his men held a celebration while camping in modern-day Texas. There were at least three other Thanksgivings before the Plymouth ceremony. Advertisement In June 1564, French colonists held a Thanksgiving celebration in modern-day Florida. English settlers in Maine had a harvest feast with the Abenaki Indians in 1607. In 1610, following a difficult winter, colonists held a thanksgiving in Jamestown after supply ships arrived delivering food. Still, unlike today, none of these celebrations were observed in November. The 1621 Plymouth Colony feast was celebrated sometime in the fall, probably in September or October. In 1789, President George Washington selected November 26 to be a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, but it was still not considered a national holiday. Thanksgiving continued to be recognized on and off on different dates until 1863. In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln invited his fellow citizens to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise. President Franklin Roosevelt signed legislation in 1941 fixing the holiday on the fourth Thursday of the month. This move was prompted by requests from the National Retail Dry Goods Association to extend the Christmas shopping season by one week in years when November have five Thursdays. Twitter: @NewsCruz OCEANSIDE Officers have arrested 18 gang members in Oceansideduring the past two weeks as part of a national sweep targetingviolent street gangs, authorities said Monday. Dubbed Operation Community Shield, federal Immigration andCustoms Enforcement agents working with local and state lawenforcement officers arrested 582 alleged gang members and peoplewho associate with them throughout the U.S. during the ongoinganti-gang effort. Almost all the suspects are accused of administrativeimmigration violations, but 76 have been charged with criminalviolations that include repeated illegal entry into the U.S.,illegal possession of guns and fraudulent documents, and statecrimes. Advertisement I think people need to understand theyre terrorists, becausethey terrorize the community that theyre in, Oceanside PoliceChief Jerome Lance said in an interview. Lance, who spoke at the national press conference in Washington,D.C. representing all local law enforcement involved in the sweep,said gang members steal cars and other things, deal drugs andthreaten to harm and kill people. Last year there were 20 gang-related shootings in Oceanside.Three people were killed and 18 wounded in the coastal community,which has 1,100 documented gang members. The only arrests made in San Diego County during the sweep werein Oceanside, but some of the suspects were gang members from Vistaand Carlsbad, said Lauren Mack, Immigration and Customsspokeswoman. Street gangs in America have grown and expanded their influenceto an alarming level, marked by increased violence and criminalactivity, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in astatement. These gangs pose a severe threat to public safety andthis growth must not go unchallenged. One of the gangs targeted in Oceanside is a new one that used tobe a small group of taggers, authorities said. They said among those arrested in the city was 38-year-old JesusCarrillo-Medina, with a criminal history that includes causingbodily harm and having sex with a child under the age of 3. Another Oceanside suspect, Roberto Figueroa-Alvarez, 25, hadbeen deported eight times before being sent back to Mexico afterhis latest arrest. An official said Figueroa-Alvarez was also takeninto custody on suspicion of drug possession, burglary, robbery andbattery of a spouse. Eleven of the 18 arrested in Oceanside have criminal records, 10were previously deported, and all 18 suspects are Mexican citizens,officials said. Were going to use every one of our resources to target theseindividuals (in gangs) and either prosecute or deport them, saidSerge Duarte, deputy special agent in charge of Immigration andCustoms Enforcement in the San Diego region. About 20 percent of gang members are foreign born, and thatswhy immigration laws are being used to arrest them, in addition tostate and other federal laws, Duarte said. The names of the North County gangs werent released, butofficials said the suspects include three women AlejandraAngeles, 19; Alejandra Hernandez-Galindo, 33, and TeresaMartinez-Ledesma, 51. The other suspects are Alfonso Anaya Mata, 26; EugenioCastellanos, 43: Jhoni Ibanez and Leonel Reyes, both 19; AlfredoRamales-Saldivar, 24; Raul Ragudo and Oscar Ramales-Saldivar, both28; Moises Garcia-Avendano, 32; Angel Cerda-Castellanos, 18;Alfonso Calvo, 26; Jose Damian-Tixteco, 27; Tomas Martinez-Cruz,26, and a 17-year-old boy, who was accused of sexual battery anddriving under the influence. Five of the 18 suspects were still in immigration custody, threeare being held by the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, andthe rest have been deported to Mexico, Mack said. Contact staff writer Jo Moreland at (760) 740-3524 orjmoreland@nctimes.com. HONOLULU (AP) After the most powerful El Nino on record heated the worlds oceans to never-before-seen levels, huge swaths of once vibrant coral reefs that were teeming with life are now stark white ghost towns disintegrating into the sea. And the worlds top marine scientists are still struggling in the face of global warming and decades of devastating reef destruction to find the political and financial wherewithal to tackle the loss of these globally important ecosystems. What we have to do is to really translate the urgency, said Ruth Gates, president of the International Society for Reef Studies and director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Advertisement Gates, who helped organize a conference this week for more than 2,000 international reef scientists, policymakers and others, said the scientific community needs to make it clear how intimately reef health is intertwined with human health. The International Coral Reef Symposium convenes Monday to try to create a more unified conservation plan for coral reefs. She said researchers have to find a way to implement large scale solutions with the help of governments. Consecutive years of coral bleaching have led to some of the most widespread mortality of reefs on record, leaving scientists in a race to save them. While bleached coral often recovers, multiple years weakens the organisms and increases the risk of death. Researchers have achieved some success with projects such as creating coral nurseries and growing forms of super coral that can withstand harsher conditions. But much of that science is being done on a very small scale with limited funding. Bob Richmond, director of the University of Hawaiis Kewalo Marine Laboratory, said the problems are very clear: overfishing of reef herbivores and top predators, land-based sources of pollution and sedimentation, and the continued and growing impacts of climate change. While reefs are major contributors to many coastal tourist economies, saving the worlds coral isnt just about having pretty places for vacationers to explore. Reefs are integral to the overall ecosystem and are an essential component of everyday human existence. Reefs not only provide habitat for most ocean fish consumed by humans, but they also shelter land from storm surges and rising sea levels. Coral has even been found to have medicinal properties. In one project to help save reefs, researchers at the University of Hawaiis Institute of Marine Biology have been taking samples from corals that have shown tolerance for harsher conditions in Oahus Kaneohe Bay and breeding them with other strong strains in slightly warmer than normal conditions to create a super coral. The idea is to make the corals more resilient by training them to adapt to tougher conditions before transplanting them into the ocean. Another program run by the state of Hawaii has created seed banks and a fast-growing coral nursery for expediting coral restoration projects. Most of Hawaiis species of coral are unlike other corals around the world in that they grow very slowly, which makes reef rebuilding in the state difficult. So officials came up with a plan to grow large chunks of coral in a fraction of the time it would normally take. Coral reefs have almost always been studied up close, by scientists in the water looking at small portions of reefs. But NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory is taking a wider view, from about 23,000 feet above. NASA and other scientists recently launched a three-year campaign to gather new data on coral reefs worldwide. They are using specially designed imaging instruments attached to aircraft. The idea is to get a new perspective on coral reefs from above, to study them at a larger scale than we have been able to before, and then relate reef condition to the environment, said Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Eric Hochberg, principal investigator for the project. If the scientific community and the worlds governments cant come together to address corals decline, one of earths most critical habitats could soon be gone, leaving humans to deal with the unforeseen consequences. What happens if we dont take care of our reefs? asked Gates. Its dire. ___ Follow Caleb Jones on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalebAP Find more of his work at https://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/caleb-jones I spent the weekend in lovely Hopkins Village a strip of seafront land sandwiched between two rivers. The area is becoming a tale of two cities with Hopkins village proper, one of small wooden houses and thatched roof businesses on the beach and Sittee Point, further south by the gorgeous Sittee River. Sittee Point is growing FAST and is home to larger resorts and more American-style amenities like a deli, laundromat and a gym. They also have HUUUGGGE expansion plans. Almost hard to believe plans. Hopkins Village and Sittee Point are separated by a red road and are an easy bike ride (or short taxi ride) from each other. Its easiest just to show you. I was staying at the beautiful Jaguar Reef Lodge and her sister resort, Almond Beach in Sittee Point. Into the lobby with a really nice gift shop featuring local designer Rebecca Stirm Lots of touches from the local Garifuna culture. And the huge dining room with lots of beautiful local baskets. Especially stunning at night. And a roomthat might work So crazy comfortable, beautiful sheets and pillow. Hard to extract myself from this suite. I was able to spend quite a bit of time in the hammocks. It was BREEZY out. The resort was organizing lots of great trips for the day to Southwater Caye (LOVE THIS), to Monkey River, reef fishing, Bocawina for waterfalls, hiking and zip lining (SO SUPER FUN) and more. But instead, I went out to explore the area and all the changes especially in Sittee Point. And then at the local real estate office these plans! Lots and lots and lots all over the place. Wowzer. Im not sure much of this has happened yet And then the road into the village which has a very different feel. Love that you can pick either side or that you can bicycle easily between the two. The local hostel the Funky Dodo. Ellas Cool Spot, a fantastic place for local food, was celebrating her first anniversary. Rather than hotels on the beach, they are mostly local homes. I love seeing a tiny wooden home looking over the water. This side has such a great feel And then I stopped for some local food at North Side Kitchen it just smelled so good. Mmmmmm Garifuna tapou, hudut or bundiga Heres a recipe for tapou in Saveur Magazine. Fancy! I went for hudut. A hearty delicious coconut soup with pigtail and fish (or any seafood) and a huge dumpling (?) of mashed green plantain. That plus a super comfortable bed lulled me right into a nap. Especially after the 5am wake-up for my impromptu trip to Dangriga for the main event. And early the next morning, I was on my way back home. Leaving this view For the bus over the mountains And then to the water taxi from Belize City to San Pedro. And then home. Oh look! A welcome back rainbow. San Pedroyou shouldnt have. 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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 Roburent, Italy -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/23/2016 -- Finding banks and ATMs in an unknown or foreign land can be quite a daunting task. Now with the help of the website, banks in Italy, travellers and tourists can find ATM facilities in Italy. The website showcases all the required information on various banks in Italy, how to withdraw euros and use any other banking service. Travellers can find information about different locations of the bank, swift codes and the working hours of these banks. Some of the different banks listed on this website are UBI Banca, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Banca Popolare, BNP Paribas BNL D'Italia, Carige, CREDEM, Deutsche Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediolanum, Popolare, Poste Italiane Bancoposta, Sella, Veneto and UniCredit. The website Banks of Italy has all the relevant and detailed information on all these banks. Based on what the website says about Deutsche Bank, "Duetsche Bank Italia is the Italian subsidiary of the global financial provider Duetsche Bank. It has its roots in 1986 when Duetsche Bank acquired over 98% of voting rights of the Banca d'America e D'Italia. Banca d'America e D'Italia was renamed as Duetsche Bank Spa in 1994, the same year the bank acquired Banca Popolare di Lecco. Currently, Italy is the second biggest European market for Duetsche bank. The bank operates both as a commercial and investment bank. With approximately 4,000 employees, 1,500+ financial advisers and about 550 retail outlets, Duetsche Bank Italia offers a whole range of banking and other financial services to private, commercial and corporate clients in Italy. The bank's products include: deposit products, loans, mortgages, payment and current accounts, retirement planning, investment management, online banking, cards services, business banking solutions, and many other services." According to a recent user of this website, "Banks of Italy.com is really awesome because I could get all the necessary information regarding all the banks in Italy. I love this country and I am a frequent visitor. Earlier I used to find it extremely difficult to withdraw euros because I could not find a bank or ATM in my locality. Now, thanks to this website, I can easily find banks and ATMs anyplace I visit in Italy. This is really helpful and I have recommended it to my buddies too." To know more about Banks in Italy, please visit the website: http://banksofitaly.com/ About Banksofitaly.com This website is designed to offer information on the locations of all banks and ATMs in Italy. It is exclusively designed for travellers and tourists in Italy. Media Contact: URL: http://banksofitaly.com [NAIROBI] Sub-Saharan Africa needs to increase adoption of agricultural technology to mitigate climate change and increase food security, experts say. The experts who were addressing the opening session of the 5th congress of the Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) said that although climate change is threatening the agricultural sector on the continent, farmers such as those in rural areas are not adopting technologies to mitigate it. It is now increasingly apparent that the farming community must embrace seed varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. James Karanja, The Seed Trade Association of Kenya The conference held in Kenya this month (8-9 November) brought together experts from government, private sector, academic institutions and seed companies. The delegates discussed and shared experiences on topics such as seed and trade, climate change and agricultural productivity, and marketing and access to technology. It is now increasingly apparent that the farming community must embrace seed varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions, said James Karanja., the chairperson of STAK. Farmers should consequently consider using certified seeds suitable for their climatic zones while the seed industry should make these seeds available. Karanja added that researchers are working to find crop varieties that can do well under particular climatic conditions. The conference was convened and sponsored by STAK in collaboration with Kenya Seed Company, Americas Monsanto and Kenya Markets Trust. Duncan Onduu, the chief executive officer of STAK, tells SciDev.Net that climate change has made several Sub-Saharan Africa countries experience severe floods and extremely hot temperatures. He adds that these floods wash away crops, kill animals and destroy houses while intense heat affects the germination of crops. Will Bett, Kenyas cabinet secretary for agriculture, livestock and fisheries, says that many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Kenya are struggling with droughts. He indicates a need to engage more young people in agriculture to make it sustainable as it contributes 26 per cent of the countrys gross domestic product. Bett explains that the failure by last years COP 21 meeting to seriously discuss agriculture was a disadvantage to Sub-Saharan Africa, which heavily relies on rain-fed agriculture. I am happy this years COP 22 in Morocco put more emphasis on agriculture, says Bett.He challenges African governments to invest more in creating and using agricultural data But Florence Muringi Wambugu, the CEO of Kenya-headquartered Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, says that there is a need for creating partnerships beyond seed business and ensuring smallholder farmers access information, especially on climate-smart seed varieties.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk. Microsoft recently revealed through a blog post that Windows 10 PCs, as well as its 2-in-1 devices, will now run Netflix 4K content exclusively. However, for Netflix 4K streaming on a PC device, you must also have a Gen 7 Intel Core Processor along with a 4K supported display. Ruiz-Hopper, Blog editor made it clear that not all Windows 10 devices will be able to run Netflix 4K Streaming. He also added that the PCs which have the latest seventh generation Intel processor will support the Netflix 4K content without any problem. If you haven't yet watched any of the Ultra HD Movies, then here's everything you should know: Netflix 4K Streaming Requirements: How To Watch The 4K Content? 4K Netflix arrives on Windows 10, but probably not for your PC https://t.co/3n1WSO5pRR pic.twitter.com/n9pJrzdajo The Verge (@verge) November 21, 2016 Ultra HD content being offered by the service providers so far is very limited in quantity. As the majority of the cable service providers also do not have any means to broadcast this 4K content directly to your cable box, it's time to do a couple of changes. Obviously, the user needs to have a 4K resolution TV or monitor capable of running Netflix 4K content. The Display should be HDCP 2.2-compliant and connected to the PC or any streaming media player through either an HDMI cable or a Display Port cable.As the black Friday deals are also on, you may find a 4K TV at a very cheap price. The next step is the most important and requires the user to upgrade their Netflix plan to the highest four screens at Ultra HD plan. Although it may cost you an additional $4, it'll really be worth the price. A high-speed internet connection is also required for smooth Netflix 4K streaming. While the service provider makes a recommendation of 25Mbps, a little slower will do the magic as well. Netflix 4K Content Streaming: Ultra HD Movies List 5 Netflix Movies You Can Watch Right Now In 4k Ultra HD #4k #uhd https://t.co/PPQP7mqyru pic.twitter.com/Dasxe6Swwq HD Report (@hdreport) August 20, 2016 Only a limited amount of 4K Content is yet available for streaming on Netflix. However, the available Ultra HD Content does include extremely well-rated movies on IMDB as well as Rotten Tomatoes. The offerings also include the much-appreciated TV series including "Breaking Bad" and "House Of Cards". Other Netflix 4K Content includes "A Very Murray Christmas", "Bloodline", "Chef's Table" and "Chelsea Does". The hot 2016 "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend", "Flaked", "Special Correspondents", "Fuller House", "The Get Down", "The OA" and "Green Eggs and Ham" are also on the Ultra HD Titles being offered. The other well-appreciated titles from the past years include "Daredevil", "Marco Polo" and various more. A number of well received Ultra HD movies are also a part of the Netflix 4K Content Streaming. These include "World War Z", "Star Trek: Into Darkness", "The Avengers", "Skyfall", and other major titles. A number of "Moving Art" documentaries from 2014 are also available for 4K streaming.Stay Tuned to SWR for more updates on Netflix 4K Content Streaming requirements and updated Ultra HD Movies list. Every single year, the Earth's night sky is lit up by millions of celestial fireballs. These fireballs are termed as "shooting stars" but they do not have anything to do with the stars. Whenever this small matter from outer space enters the Earth's atmosphere, it generates a flash of light called "meteor" or "shooting star." Last Tuesday, a newly discovered meteorite has been recovered from Western Australia farm by a group of sky watchers. Astonishingly, the meteorite is believed that it fell somewhere in October. According to scientists, they estimate that the small meteor weighing 1.15 kg is 4.56 billion years old. This makes it older compared to the planet Earth. Professor Phil Band, Founder of Curtin University Desert Fireball Network (DFN) and a planetary geologist, said in a press release that "The fireball was picked up by four of our cameras. Our team was able to track the fall line and calculate its landing spot to within 200 meters of where it was subsequently found." The DFN defined that the meteorite is a type of "chondrite," a meteorite that has not been cooked up enough to melt. "Meteorites tell us pretty much everything we want to know about the solar system... but unless we know where they came from, there's a really big piece of that puzzle left," Professor Bland said. Meanwhile, Dr. Martin Towner of Curtin's Department of Applied Geology said in a press release that the rock is "pristine, unweathered and fresh sample." According to Space, Professor Bland states that "We managed to get in a very pristine way, that we can find some quite soluble elements of minerals in there, or volatile minerals that can tell us about water and organics in solar system." ABC added that the team carefully retrieved the meteorite. It brought back the meteorite to Curtin University for CT Scanning since the preliminary analysis has been done already and named the meteorite as chondrite. Finally, Professor Bland gave assurance that they will find more about the meteorite. They will study its 3D model in detail and conduct chemical analysis of a thin section of the meteorite. In the heart of the Syrian-African rift valley, bordered by the Jordan, Israel and Palestine is the Dead Sea. It is situated 1,407 feet below sea level -- the lowest point in the world. The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is 30 miles long and 9 miles wide and is considered as one of the greatest natural wonders of the world as it is also one of the saltiest bodies of water known. Unfortunately, living up to its name, it is also dying. Recent decades showed that the sea had been deteriorating and shrinking about 3 feet every year, meaning that it is literally dying for the past few decades. The sea is particularly popular to tourists, who travel to the Middle East specifically to experience floating in its high-sodium chloride waters with its salt content about 10 times more than the usual salts in the ocean. While so named because it cannot allow marine life to thrive in its waters, humans have discovered over the years that it has many healing powers. It is believed to be able to treat skin, heart and lung conditions. Yet, as the New York Post pointed out, its healing powers could also be the reason for its demise, as humans have been "stealing" the natural springs to put them in beauty products and therapeutic treatments. Environmentalist group EcoPeace Middle East also added that the construction of hotels and other developments enhanced mineral and water extractions, which also add to the reasons of the dying Dead Sea. Water flowing into it from the Jordan River had been diverted, so there is little source of water to keep it full. Today, the group is fighting for the preservation of the Dead Sea by limiting its tourism development. Some plans are already being put into action. CNN reported that a canal will be built from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea so that the water can be supplied to both countries -- and about 300 million cubic meters could also be pumped back into the Dead Sea annually. This way, the Dead Sea can be saved. Marijuana has been legal in so many states. Now, Denver is allowing residents to smoke weed in some if their bars. The question now is that, how will it affect the non-smokers? Denver's new law called initiative 300 authorize a four-year pilot plan in the city, allowing restaurant and bar owners to apply for permits to grant marijuana use in their premises. However, indoor smokers are not allowed to smoke, but outdoors they are permitted. Also, marijuana vaping is allowed so is the marijuana edibles, but only in the properties that had applied for permits. However, the new rule states that bars and restaurants are not allowed to sell marijuana. So, the new rule suggests to BYOP or bring your own pot. According to Denverite, the new law could start being implemented in 2017. The new law got a lot of applause in the tourism industry. As the tourists and renters often times legally buy marijuana in Colorado and only a few spots to smoke. Meanwhile, other advocates are worried about the health effects of the new law, especially the second-hand smoke. "Second-hand marijuana smoke has 33 cancer-causing chemicals, according to the California EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], and some of the same chemicals in marijuana smoke are also in tobacco smoke," according to Peter Bialick, president of The Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution (GASP) of Colorado. The researchers from John Hopkins revealed that an hour of exposure to high THC cannabis in the non-ventilated room. If urine tested, the nonsmokers can be positive for cannabis after 2 to 11 hours after the exposure. However, levels would be lower, but still detectable. The result of their research has been published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence in 2015. Furthermore, when it comes to ventilated areas, the nonsmokers that are still exposed did not show any effects. Thus, it would not be a problem with the new law of Denver, because they do not allow smokers to smoke marijuana indoors, according to Live Science. Diving Colombia destinations The Americas Diving Colombia 18 October 2022 Colombia has diving in both the Caribbean and Pacific. The driest time to go to the Pacific side is January, February, March or the middle of August. For the Caribbean, April to November is best. The Pacific coast offers the more challenging diving, with stronger currents. You are very likely to see big stuff like sharks, tuna and even humpback whales here. World class dive sites include Malpelo, a remote seamount 500 kilometres west of the mainland, famous for schooling hammerheads and silky sharks. Only one liveaboard visits at a time and this must operate out of Colombia. Currently the only liveaboard visiting Malpelo is the Ferox, which has an experienced captain and crew. Some of the best diving in Colombia's Caribbean sea is at San Andres and Providencia Islands. The coral reef here is said to be the world's third largest. The area is in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, around 750 km from the mainland. Taganga is one of the most popular areas for diving in Colombia. On the Caribbean coast, the diving is not as good at Taganga as it is in some other places in Colombia, but it does have a plethora of dive shops. It's very cheap to learn to dive here. Taganga has an ATM but this doesn't work with many international cards. You might have to go to Santa Marta to get the cash to pay for your course. Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel. Dive Sites of Colombia Dive Operators Accommodation Your Comments Malpelo Gorgona Caribbean Pacific Malpelo Malpelo Malpelo is a small, barren island just 8 km2. It's steep sided cliffs are the only visible part of a volcanic ridge which drops to nearly 3 km. Here hammerhead and other sharks congregate in relatively shallow waters. Only one liveaboard a day is allowed at Malpelo and at the moment the only one travelling to Malpelo is the Ferox, which has high safety standards and experienced crew. This is not a trip for beginners but is truly a world-class dive site. Reviews: " The sinister and forbidding Malpelo Island is located 314 miles (506 Kilometers) off the coast of Buenaventura, Colombia in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Malpelo is home to an important coral formation as well as a large variety and quantity of marine creatures. Of special interest is the hammerhead shark with its awe-inspiring schools reaching up to 300 hundred individuals. The two most outstanding phenomena in Malpelo are the huge number of cluster and free swimming moray eels and the enormous congregations of silky sharks who often mix with hammerheads to form colossal shark schools. Other common sights are the white tip shark, Galapagos shark, giant schools of angel fish, Creole fish, jacks, tuna, and occasionally a sail fish, whale shark and even Humpback Whale." Jairo Criollo "One of the most beautiful sites to dive in the world. Best of all is still unexploited by tourism." Sonia Matthews, USA "Dirty Rock, Malpelo, is 350 miles west of the coast of Columbia. This site is home to hundreds of hammerheads, blacktips, white tips, whale sharks, mantas, yellow fin tuna, etc. 65 deg water with 4-6 ft seas, but high-octane excitment. " Scubajack, USA " Malpelo is the ideal place for shark lovers!! Biggest hammerhead shark population in the world!!" Mariana, (2012) Find a Malpelo liveaboard Pacific Gorgona Island Gorgona Island Reviews: " Gorgona island, until 1985, was a jail; it's now a sanctuary. The land tours are great and you will see sharks, sea lions, dolphins, whale sharks, Whales (sometimes) and it's not over populated with tourists. Gorgona was awesome, As good as the Galapagos. Colombia is more safe than the media would have you believe. " Mark Infanger Find a Gorgona liveaboard Caribbean Providencia Island Providencia Island Providencia island is part of an archipelago around 750 km from the Colombian mainland. In 2000 it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, which includes a massive marine area of 300,000 km2. Other nearby islands include San Andres and Santa Catalina. The archipelago is actually nearer to Nicaragua than Colombia. Reviews: "The most beautiful place I have ever been. There are many places to rent a boat and diving equipment. Cost may vary from season to season. Much better than other places such as Costa Rica. Not only the diving is amazing but the island is magical." Paula Find a Providencia Dive Operator Caribbean San Andres Island San Andres Island The largest island in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve. It has an airport. Reviews: "I just came back from a week on San Andres island staying at the camera and resorts. San Andres has some of the best diving I have done around the world the Decamaron has multiple dive shops and very well educated and trained crews. There are many great dive sites from beginning open water diving all the way up to advanced and technical dives. By far one of the best places I have to live in the Caribbean. I will definitely be returning. " James, 31 July 2019 "I had a blast. Sunken ships. Sunken 737, Lots of big and bigger barracuda. Stingrays and a great trip to Johnny Cay to feed them in the evening. If you got to San Andres AVOID the Sunrise Hotel. It just plain old sucks and costs way too much. The Decameron Hotels are MUCH better. " Mark Infanger "In San Andres y Providence Island you can find the third largest coral reef in the world plus is considered a Biosphere Reserve by Uesco." Mariana, (2012) Find a San Andres Dive Operator Caribbean Isla Rosario Isla Rosario Part of an archipelago around 100 kilometres from Cartagena. It is one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia. Reviews: "If you like diving the reef and looking at tiny stuff 24/7 this is the dive for you. I would rate Cartagena as over-promising and under-delivering. " Mark Infanger Caribbean Santa Marta Santa Marta Reviews: "Much better than Cartagena San Andras and much more stressless " Frank, Denmark Caribbean Taganga Salidero Salidero "Nice 3 part dive starting with over soft coral moving into a gentle drift dive before ending over a brain and elk horn coral field" Rich Stroud,UK, 2017 Find a Taganga Dive Operator Caribbean Taganga El Torin El Torin Reviews: "Beautiful dive over a big brain coral field, great diversity and healthy big coral (some massive examples of both brain and elk horn corals) " Rich Stroud,UK, 2017 Caribbean Taganga Tayrona Park Tayrona Park Reviews: "Turtles, Barracudas, Corals." George, New Zealand, 2016 Recommend a dive operator or list your diving company on this page. Malpelo Ferox Liveaboard Ferox Liveaboard The Ferex has exclusive diving access to the World Heritage site of Malpelo. Also visits Gorgona island. Renovated in 2017, there are 8 cabins for 12 divers. The former Ice Classed Mine Layer has an 11 mm armored steel hull, all new machinery and electronics as well as an extensive list of safety equipment including three 6m, self-righting, former Fast Rescue Boats that were operated in the challenging conditions of the North Sea. Dive guides have 30 years of experience in Malpelo. BOOK NOW, PAY LATER Caribbean Cartagena de Indias Diving Planet Diving Planet Reviews: Ciudad Amurallada Calle Estanco del Aguardiente #5-94 Cartagena de Indias Colombia Tel: (57 5) 664 2171 Cell: (57) 300 815 7169 - 300 603 7284 E-Mail: divingplanetctg@telecom.com.co Book Diving "Andres knows his stuff " Mark Infanger Caribbean San Andres Karibik Divers Karibik Divers Reviews: Karibik Diver Av. Newball 1-248 Edificio Galeon In front of "Casa de Cultura" Tel: (57)-8-51 20101 " Excellent service. They take care of everything, such as loading and unloading your equipment from the boat and rinsing all your dive gear. The price is very good also. " Firdaus Chinoy, Canada Caribbean San Andres Banda Dive Shop Banda Dive Shop PADI resort Hotel Lord Pierre Local # 104 Banda Book Diving Caribbean Providence Island Felipe Diving Center Felipe Diving Center Providence Island Cabanas EL RECREO Agua Dulce Colombia Tel: 57 (8) 514 8775 / 57 (8) 514 8010 Mobile: 57 (312) 521 7503 Fax: 57 (8) 514 8051 E-mail: info@felipediving.com Caribbean Taganga Oceano Scuba Center Oceano Scuba Center Carrera 2 # 17 - 46 Esquina Taganga Magdalena Colombia Tel: +57 5 4219004 oceano@oceanoscuba.com.co Book Diving Reviews: "Oceano Scuba - an excellent outfit with experienced instructors. Very impressed by this outfit, well organised with good kit and some excellent dive sites. While there may be better dives sites in Colombia, Taganga/Oceano offer the best value dives in the Caribbean. Best in the world for PADI courses and best quality for cost dives I've experienced. Well maintained kit, very professional approach to development courses. " Rich Stroud, UK, 2017 "It was great, the best diving school in the world. 60 dollars two dives and snacks" George, New Zealand, 2016 Caribbean Taganga Ocean Lovers Ocean Lovers A PADI 5* Dive Resort established by Lisi from Austria. Calle 15, 1B-14 Taganga Santa Marta Colombia Tel: +57 304 326 3342 (German, English, Spanish) E-mail: info@oceanloverstaganga.com Book Diving Reviews: "I dived with ocean lovers Taganga. It was a great shop, Austrian owned with good attention to detail and safety." Demi, January 2019 Caribbean Taganga Santa Marta Dive and Adventure Santa Marta Dive and Adventure Calle 17 N 2-43 Centro Historico Taganga Santa Marta Colombia Tel: +57 (5) 4226370 Whats app: +57 3132724842: E-mail: santamartadiveandadventure@gmail.com Reviews: "The school is located in Santa Marta but they also have a centre in Taganga where everybody meets to be get kitted before heading to the boat. Whilst I was there I heard the instructors speaking English, French, German and of course Spanish. Fantastic value for money and what they say is true.....Santa Marta/Taganga is probably the cheapest place to learn to dive. Marvin and the team are a fun and professional group who proactively involve their customers and put them at ease. I will be returning to dive with them again as soon as I am back in Colombia." Andrew Cameron, UK, March 2019 Caribbean Taganga Poseidon Dive Center Poseidon Dive Center Calle 18 #1-69 Taganga Santa Marta 470001 Colombia max@poseidondivecenter.com Book Diving Reviews: " Most professional dive center in Colombia " Frank, Denmark Caribbean Taganga Aquantis dive center Aquantis dive center Calle 18 N 1 - 39 Taganga Santa Marta Magdalena Colombia Tel: + 57 (5) 4219344 E-mail: info@aquantisdivecenter.com Caribbean Taganga Calipso dive center Calipso dive center Street 12 No 1 - 40 SantaMarta Taganga Colombia Tel: (057)5 4219146 E-mail: roberdive@yahoo.com.co Bogota Buconos Diving Centre Buconos Diving Centre Buconos Diving Centre Bogota Colombia Tel: +57+1+3158391 Fax: +57+1+3158391 E-mail: buconos@gmail.com "Dive with us the best of Colombia!" Adolfo Salinas (Buconos Diving), 2012 Caribbean San Andres Sunrise Hotel Sunrise Hotel Avenida Fancisco Newball No. 4-169 San Andres Isla Colombia Tel: +57 (8) 512.3977 Fax: +57 (8) 512.3825 E-mail: info@sunrisehotel.com See availability and book " We stayed at the Sunrise Hotel which is less than a 5 minute walk from the dive shop. " Firdaus Chinoy, Canada " If you got to San Andres AVOID the Sunrise Hotel. It just plain old sucks and costs way too much. The Decameron Hotels are MUCH better. " Mark Infanger Pacific El Cantil Lodge El Cantil Lodge Nuqui Colombia Tel: (574) 2520707 E-mail: elcantil@elcantil.com Lodge with Dive Centre. More Hotels More Hotels For hotels see the Agoda site... Please send us your comments on Colombia. Do you want to recommend a diving centre or dive site? Let us know. Have a question - we're waiting to hear from you. 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. Seven ships will offer 130 departures, with more than 75% of voyages sailing to Glacier Bay National Park. Departures are from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, BC, and Whittier (Anchorage). More than 22 cruise-tour options are available, visiting five Princess Wilderness Lodges. New for 2018, Island Princess will feature a full season of calls to Icy Strait Point on every seven-day northbound 'Voyage of the Glaciers' itinerary. Also new are two 12-day round-trips from Los Angeles. The May-September program includes 'Voyage of the Glaciers' Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Whittier. These feature two glacier-viewing experiences on every voyage, with visits to the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay plus either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. These cruises are offered aboard Island Princess, Coral Princess, Star Princess and Golden Princess. 'Inside Passage' cruises are offered on seven-, 10- and 12-day round-trips from Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ruby and Emerald Princess sail on weekly round-trips from Seattle with all Ruby Princess cruises visiting Glacier Bay. Grand Princess sails from San Francisco, and has five departures visiting Glacier Bay. The two 12-day round-trips from Los Angeles aboard Emerald Princess and Golden Princess also include Glacier Bay. 2018 is shaping up to be a huge year in Alaska, when Norwegian Cruise Line will send its biggest ship ever, the new Norwegian Bliss. Terengganu chief minister Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the port will undergo a massive multi-billion ringgit facelift to cater for the demands of the oil, gas shipping and tourism industries. Imagine the tremendous benefits the investment will create in terms of new job opportunities for the oil, gas, shipping and tourism sectors," he said. Other supplementary industries like food, beverage and hospitality, will also gain as millions of tourists from China are expected to flock to the state, reknowned for its idylic islands and traditional food, Razif said. Terengganu is also in talks with several parties, including national oil company Petronas, to develop Marang, another of its ports, into an international-class port to supplement Kemaman. This port is expected to benefit from Petronas demand to provide maintenance, repair, supplies, husbanding and transportation services. The world is waiting to hear what President-elect Donald Trump has in mind for governing the U.S. Among the biggest questions is what will happen to the budget for climate and energy-related activities. Though they're a relatively small piece of a federal budget that is in excess of $1 trillion, how the administration deals with climate and energy will go a long ways toward determining the future of the planet. "We don't get a second chance," Secretary of State John Kerry said last week at the United Nations climate talks in Morocco. "We have to get this right and we have to get it right now." The climate and clean energy budget could be in peril, though. Trump has called climate change a hoax created by the Chinese and has vowed to end the Paris Agreement (though on Tuesday, he softened on both stances in a meeting with New York Times reporters). In a video statement released on Monday, he said he would "cancel job-killing restrictions on the production of American energy, including shale energy and clean coal, creating many millions of high-paying jobs." That could be a reference to his stated goal to rescind the Clean Power Plan and Environmental Protection Agency rules. RELATED: The Race to Save the World's Biggest Trees The EPA transition team leader is Myron Ebell, a climate denier from the Competitive Enterprise Institute. On Monday, the transition team announced that Thomas Pyle, a former Koch brothers lobbyist, would head up the Energy Department transition and Doug Domenech, who runs Fueling Freedom, a group that aims to "explain the forgotten moral case for fossil fuels," would head the Interior Department efforts. Add in a Republican-controlled Senate and House, which have repeatedly tried to block climate action under President Obama, and it's likely that the federal climate budget will suffer in the coming years. Just how remains to be seen until Trump proposes his first budget. Here's where a number of federal agencies stand with climate and energy funding, what they spend it on, and what could be under fire after Jan. 20 when Trump takes office. The budget numbers below are based on the 2017 fiscal year budget requests for each agency or department. Energy Department2017 climate-related budget: $8.5 billion What it's spent on: Energy efficiency and renewable and nuclear energy research and development as well as science and computing. What could happen to it: Trump has said little about what his Energy Department would look like or how its funding would be affected. However, his energy plan calls for aggressively promoting fossil fuels to achieve full energy independence and create new jobs. His plan says he would continue research on nuclear power and renewables, but do so without preferring one energy source over another. By contrast, the Obama administration, through its Climate Action Plan, has made developing renewables a priority while restricting new coal development on federal lands. Coal is a major source of the greenhouse gases driving climate change. If the Department of Energy deemphasizes research and development on renewables, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could take a major hit. The NREL is a national lab that researches renewable power and energy efficiency technology, and ways to make the electric power grid more sustainable. The DOE, which determines funding for the 17 national laboratories scattered about the country, funds 80 percent of NREL's budget, while the other 20 percent comes from other federal agencies and the lab's partnerships with industry. "We can't speculate on what sort of policies President-elect Trump may choose to prioritize or what the related impacts will be for NREL," lab spokeswoman Heather Lammers said. "In the meantime, we remain focused on our mission to find answers to today's energy challenges." Interior Department2017 climate-related budget: $1.1 billion What it's spent on: Supporting scientific research and managing landscapes for climate resilience as well as expanding public access to climate-related information. The Interior Department, through the U.S. Geological Survey, funds climate science centers, and research on carbon sequestration. Interior's climate resiliency programs include nearly $200 million to help communities such as those damaged by Hurricane Sandy to shore themselves against extreme weather, sea level rise and other impacts of climate change. What could happen to it: Trump has been relatively silent on his intentions for the Interior Department other than saying that he wants to open federal public lands - many of them managed by Interior - to fossil fuels development to the maximum extent possible while also denying the existence of climate change. Trump is considering a wide range of fossil fuels-friendly candidates for Interior Secretary, including Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Lucas Oil co-founder Forrest Lucas, and Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, among others. State Department2017 climate-related budget: $984 million What it's spent on: Almost anything the U.S. does about climate change on the international stage comes via the State Department. That includes committing money to the Green Climate Fund, a global fund to help developing countries adapt to and mitigate climate change, and the U.N. climate negotiation and research process itself. The U.S. also administers climate aid directly through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). More than 40 percent of USAID's climate budget goes into funding adaptation projects that range from helping provide weather-based crop insurance to aiding poor farmers in Ethiopia to helping ensure countries can meet their National Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. RELATED: Vehicles Will Soon Top Coal, Gas in CO2 Pollution What could happen to it: Trump has said he would pull out of the Paris Agreement. That would likely also come with climate funding cuts to the United Nations programs that are part of the international process. What happens to climate-related aid administered through USAID is less clear. Trump hasn't announced any specific plans on aid, though in a 2012 tweet he intimated that the World Bank linking poverty and climate change was a bad idea. In his presidential bid announcement he said the U.S. should "stop sending foreign aid to countries that hate us." More broadly, Trump has espoused an "America First" policy, which could put international development in the crosshairs. Without any specific policy preferences, it will be up to State Department officials to make the case for why their funding is so important. Ed Carr, a geographer who works on international development at Clark University but has extensive contacts at USAID, said it will likely require framing that speaks to Trump, which might be slightly different than past presidents. "He sees himself as a business person with good deals and bad deals," Carr said. "Almost everybody knows dealing with something proactively costs you much less than reacting much later. Being able to demonstrate that with aid could speak to the businessman and help convince him." NASA2017 climate-related budget: $1.9 billion What it's spent on: NASA funds a variety of climate research on earth and in space. Closer to home, it manages one of the gold standard global temperature records. Its researchers also model the climate and monitor the ice sheets at both ends of the poles for possible signs of melt, which could inundate coastal cities. Beyond the exosphere, NASA satellites monitor carbon dioxide, precipitation, storms, sea levels, land cover change and even gravity shifts at the poles due to melting in ice. These satellites provide a baseline that can measure future climate change against it and also provide crucial information for storm monitoring and weather forecasting. What could happen to it: At an October rally in Florida, Trump said he would refocus NASA's mission on space exploration. Bob Walker, a former Republican congressman who has advised Trump on space policy, told the Telegraph in a recent interview that NASA has been reduced to "a logistics agency concentrating on space station resupply and politically correct environmental monitoring." RELATED: Living Architecture Cools Cities and Spreads Seed Other Republicans in Congress have also expressed a desire to spend more on space exploration while cutting into the agency's climate science research. Despite Republican opposition, NASA's earth science budget has grown during the Obama administration. That could change if Trump's desire to "refocus" the agency comes in the form of earth science budget cuts. Environmental Protection Agency2017 climate-related budget: $1.1 billion What it's spent on: Climate and air quality research and development as well as enforcing climate rules and regulations such as the Clean Power Plan, which would cut greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. Cutting the EPA's budget to prevent it from regulating emissions that cause climate change could be a setback to the Paris Climate Agreement, which was signed with the understanding that the U.S. would be among the world's leaders in emissions cuts. Without the EPA's emissions regulations, the world potentially will be unable to meet the ultimate climate goal - to prevent global warming from exceeding 2C (3.6F). What could happen to it: With the EPA transition team headed up Ebell, a climate change denier, and Trump's stated intention to cut climate-related regulations administered by the EPA, the agency is expected to see deep funding cuts, though nobody knows for sure how deep they'll be. David Goldston, government affairs director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said it's unclear how quickly EPA funding might be cut and how soon rollbacks of regulations might occur, but it's clear that funding for the agency will be a battleground. "I think they're going to pull back on everything they can," said former New Jersey Republican Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, the first EPA administrator under George W. Bush. "They do not believe in climate change and they do not like regulation." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration2017 climate-related research and development: $190 million What it's spent on: NOAA's climate science budget funds both in-house researchers and a number of programs at universities. The agency monitors global issues like greenhouse gases, sea level rise, Arctic sea ice and El Nino as well as another gold standard global temperature dataset. But it also provides regional climate services that take that data and make it local through the Drought Monitor or regional climate offices, which help farmers, city planners and local governments. The agency also helps maintain research bases at the South Pole and Greenland. What could happen to it: NOAA might be a rare climate bright spot under Trump. Walker has hinted that what NASA loses in earth science research could be shifted over to NOAA. It's unclear, however, if the added responsibilities will come with a bigger budget with Walker only saying that "there would have to be some budget adjustments." It seems unlikely that those adjustments would just give NASA's climate chunk to NOAA given that it's an order of magnitude larger than NOAA's current climate budget. So while it bodes well that NOAA may not lose its budget for climate research, it would be hard-pressed to fill NASA's shoes without adequate funding. More From Climate Central: This article originally appeared on Climate Central, all rights reserved. Sailor Moon, the famous Japanese female anime character known for fighting evil, will now be the face of an STI prevention campaign in Japan. Naoko Takeuchi, Sailor Moon's creator, has partnered with Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to try and raise awareness about the importance of getting checked for sexually transmitted infections, reported the BBC. The campaign was launched as a response to the recent surge in HIV and syphilis infections in young Japanese women. Fliers featuring the iconic anime soldier as well as condoms are being distributed in the form of pink, heart-shaped educational packages to several locations. According to a press release, the Ministry's goal is to prevent STI's but also increase early detection and treatment. The campaign even reworks Sailor Moon's famous phrase: "In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" changing it to: "If you don't get tested, I will punish you!" RELATED: What It's Like to Date a Video Game Character Hoi Cheu, associate professor of English at Laurentian University in Ontario, and author of "Imported Girl Fighters: Ripeness and Leakage in 'Sailor Moon,'" was able to shed some light on why using Sailor Moon - an icon for girl power - might make sense for this campaign, even though it concerns sexuality. "Although [Sailor Moon] is a formula anime, which is not very highly regarded among anime fans, the story actually works really well with young women, with their adjustment to the culture as well as the way people grow," Cheu told Seeker. "So if it's still popular it will probably have an effect. People will have a good memory of it, so there's kind of a nostalgia to it. It's cute, it's funny, it will bring back some memories, it's a hero you trusted from your childhood." According to the National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Japan, the sharp increase in STI's among young women can be partly attributed to a lack of education, especially regarding syphilis. In a report last year, the NIID advised that sex education be stepped up, particularly among high risk groups like teenagers. "A similar trend is also happening in Canada," Cheu told Seeker. "We are also under a transition in sex education, to talk more about different aspects of sexuality than just talk about disease." Cheu pointed out, however, that there has been push back from conservatives against sex education in Canada and elsewhere. "Between the liberal pull for more holistic sex education and the extremist pull to go back and talk about anti-abortion and abstinence, I think young women suffer in between," Cheur said. "This kind of two-way pull in many ways is happening around the whole world." RELATED: Japan's Monarchy Explained This is similar to the state of sex education in Japan, and in order to get the attention of those who are most at risk of contracting a STI's, Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry tapped into a familiar practice. Japanese officials have harnessed anime and manga to inspire young people before. Earlier this year, when the country lowered the voting age from 20 to 18, city officials in Nara created an anime video encouraging young people to go out and vote. Several Japanese political parties used manga and anime in their election campaigns this past summer as well. The Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, distributed a brochure titled "Kuni ni Todoke," meaning "Notify the Country," that was designed to look like a comic for girls, as well as a manga poster with the same character. "Japan does not have a cultural institute like Hollywood, so their best way to work against it is to have anime in adult subjects," Cheu explained. "Not only do they have teen and tween production, they have adult and pornographic production of anime. In the popular culture in Japan, Sailor Moon is not anything less than any Disney major characters. Anime are celebrities, or they are the equivalent in their culture." WATCH: Japan Is Hiring Professional Ninjas For all their infamous raiding and plundering, the Vikings who attacked from Scandinavia might have been just a bunch of lonely-hearted bachelors, new research suggests. During the Viking Age, which archaeological discoveries and written texts suggested lasted from about A.D. 750 to 1050, shipborne crews from Scandinavia went "viking" - that is, they started raiding. However, the causes of these invasions remain uncertain. Previous research suggested a wide range of potential triggers for the Viking Age. One scenario hinted that warm climates led to better harvests and thus larger populations, and that such big groups felt compelled to raid. Another cited innovations in sailing technology, such as the additions of keels and sails to Scandinavian longships. [Fierce Fighters: 7 Secrets of Viking Culture] RELATED: Cats Traveled with Vikings and Farmers However, scientists have argued that such explanations are not especially convincing because they raised questions as to why Scandinavians did not respond in other ways to such triggers. For example, if the trigger for the raids was "innovations in sailing technology, why did Scandinavians elect to go raiding rather than focusing their efforts on peaceful trade?" said senior study author Mark Collard, a biological anthropologist at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Now, researchers suggest a new twist on an ancient explanation: Scandinavian practices that led powerful men to monopolize women also might have led to significant pools of unwed men. Many of these single men, looking for marriage, might have gone on raids to gain status, wealth and captives, and thus go on to secure brides and concubines of their own. Looking for love The idea that an excess of single young men led to Viking raiding is one of the oldest explanations for the Viking Age, put forward about 1,000 years ago by historian Dudo of St. Quentin in his tome "History of the Normans." "We were able to reinvigorate an explanation for Viking raiding that has been around for nearly 1,000 years," Collard told Live Science. The new model links this older idea with the customs of polygyny, or having multiple wives, and concubinage, or the keeping of concubines, that ancient texts such as the "Sagas of Icelanders," medieval German chronicles, and reports by travelers such as the 10th-century Arab envoy Ahmad Ibn Fadlan suggested that Scandinavians once practiced, the researchers said. Polygyny and concubinage would have limited the number of women eligible for single men to marry. Evolutionary biology suggests that such an imbalance would have then boosted competition for mates among unmarried men. Indeed, prior work has suggested that, on average, men die in warfare more often in polygynous societies than in monogamous ones, the researchers said. This resulted in volatile societies in Scandinavia in which men were moved to engage in risky behavior, such as raiding expeditions to gain wealth and status to attract brides and to secure female slaves. One consequence of this was a surge in raiding that is linked with the start of the Viking Age, the researchers suggested. Viking bachelors Archaeological Viking finds discoveries and historical records suggest that loot and captives were main targets of raiders, and that most Vikings were men, although there is evidence that some raiders may have been women. For instance, the Irish text "War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill" recorded that one fleet belonged to a woman dubbed the Inghen Ruaidh, or "Red Girl," in Ireland during the 10th century A.D., the researchers said. [Photos: 10th-Century Viking Tomb Unearthed in Denmark] This model suggests that most Viking raiders would have been young men. Ancient mass graves and Icelandic sagas support this explanation, the researchers said. Other possibilities the model presents include that the Vikings were hypersensitive to insults, that they viewed risk taking positively and that there was intense competition among men. Icelandic sagas also revealed that these characteristics were common in Viking societies, the scientists added. RELATED: Mystery Settlers Reached 'Step to Americas' Before Vikings "I'd like people to keep in mind that the Vikings weren't particularly unusual in engaging in concubinage and polygyny or in going raiding," Collard said. "Plenty of societies in the past approved of polygynous relationships - indeed, some still do in the present day. Similarly, raiding was not unusual in the past and remains fairly common today in certain places. So, while the Vikings can seem exotic, it's a mistake to view them that way. They weren't outliers when it comes to human behavior." Men of low status might not have been the only members of Viking cultures seeking to go on raids. Powerful men would likely want to support, fund and lead raids to acquire plunder, in order to develop and keep their reputations and further their ambitions, the researchers said. "We're not saying that every Viking went raiding," Collard said. "Many did; others didn't. Social life in the Viking Age would have been as complicated as social life in the present day." It remains uncertain why Viking raids began when they did. The researchers suggested that one trigger of this raiding "might have been an influx of Abbasid coinage into eastern Scandinavia via Russian and Baltic trade routes in the last decades of the eighth century [A.D.]," Collard said. "That's plausible, because it likely would have increased the amount of inequality and, therefore, the level of competition among men. But I'm sure there are other potential proximate triggers that we haven't considered." The scientists detailed their findings online Oct. 30 the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations WATCH: How Powerful Is Norway? In October 2013, General Electric engineer Lyman Connor met a boy on an elevator who would radically impact his discretionary time for the next three years. Connor was in recovery from a serious bicycle accident - nine-skull-fractures serious - when he found himself in a hospital elevator with a young boy. Playfully comparing injuries, Connor found out that the boy had lost a hand and that his family couldn't afford to buy him a high-end electronic prosthesis. When Connor was finally discharged from the hospital, he pledged to design an affordable bionic hand for that kid and others like him. An inveterate tinkerer, he started experimenting in his home workshop, discovered the advantages of 3-D printing, and hasn't stopped since. "A full bionic hand was anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000, and I was thinking I could make something more affordable," Connor says in the project page demo video. Three years later, Connor is close to realizing his vision with the Bionic Hand Project, which includes a nonprofit initiative that aims to provide advanced prostheses to needy patients at a low cost. He's also founded a for-profit arm, so to speak, through which he hopes to sell his technology to other companies designing prostheses. In November, Connor moved operations from his home workshop to a commercial space in Roanoke, Virginia. RELATED: Bionic Eye Creates a Bright Spot for the Blind Connor's current bionic hand model, the Mano-matic, uses off-the-shelf components and design elements from the open-source Robohand project, a South African initiative in which engineers collaborate on low-cost prosthetic solutions. The Mano-matic includes a cuff that reads electrical impulses on the forearm, similar to how a electroencephalogram (EEG) device reads electrical activity through the scalp. Those impulses are wirelessly beamed to a microprocessor and translated into inputs for the prosthetic hand itself. This basic open-and-close system is good enough that users can easily grasp most everyday objects, a cup of water, say. Venezuela is the 10th largest oil producer in the world but the country's economy is also rapidly declining. This has sparked regular protests against the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. What is Maduro's role in the country's collapse and why is he so disliked? Watch today's Seeker Daily video to find out. Check out Discovery GO! Learn More: Fortune: These Are the World's 5 Most Miserable Economies in 2016 The Guardian: Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro given power to rule by decree BBC: Venezuela starts validating recall referendum signatures It might sound like a James Bond movie, but its happening in our homes: Devices with microphones and cameras are transmitting private images and conversations to the Web, and experts fear smartphones and watches could be used for spying, too. The problem of digital eavesdropping gained attention in June, when a photo suggested that Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, might have taped over the video camera and audio jack on his laptop. But the risk goes beyond corporate leaders. Devices ranging from webcams to childrens toys might be tapped for video or audio feeds. Last year, researchers said they could gain access to an Internet-connected Hello Barbie, which would allow them to listen to audio recorded by the doll at home. The universe of objects connected to the Internet, many of them with cameras and microphones, is swelling rapidly. That fact alarms security experts, who note the seeming ease with which attackers took over poorly protected devices like baby monitors and digital video recorders last month. In that case, the devices were used to send errant signals that knocked Twitter and other Internet companies offline. But given control over the devices, hackers could do much more. You have a lot of companies that were not previously engaged with these technology areas, that never dealt with digital security before that are now designing devices that need those protections, said Betsy Cooper, executive director of UC Berkeleys Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity. Those companies might not be as prepared as others. Fred R. Conrad The number of Internet-connected devices with voice features shipped in the U.S. is expected to grow nearly 30 percent from 2016 to 2020, to more than 316 million, according to research firm IDC. In the past, some gadget buyers have dismissed the devices as too complex. But as Amazons Echo and Apple TV bring voice assistants like Alexa and Siri to living rooms, consumers have grown more comfortable with them. Yet regulation of the devices hasnt caught up with their proliferation. Its up to consumers to assess the security reputation of the companies selling the products. Few members of Congress are familiar with the complexities of cybersecurity, making it more challenging for them to write laws on the subject, said Vince Houghton, historian at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. There are a few basic ways that microphones can be accessed. Hackers could take over the device through an unsecured connection, like a Wi-Fi router, analysts said. Malware on computers or smartphones can allow an attacker to take control of the device, sometimes including its microphone or video camera. Experts warn that small vendors overseas may try to undercut larger competitors by skimping on security and testing. For example, low-cost webcams that sell for less than $150 often pose problems, said John Matherly, founder of Shodan, a site that lets people check to see if their video feeds are accessible online. His site shows that there are thousands of video feeds worldwide that dont need a log-in to view. Plenty of webcams still rely on default user names and passwords, making them targets for hackers, Matherly said. Fred R. Conrad If strangers can access a webcams feed, they may be able to know when its owner is home. Audio files can be used for blackmail. Security has not been something that consumers care enough to spend more money on, Matherly said. The Internet-connected Hello Barbie doll, which speaks and listens to children, could be hacked to allow outsiders access to audio recordings, researchers with the San Francisco software company Bluebox Security found last year, according to CNET. San Franciscos PullString Inc., which makes the software behind the doll, pointed to a November 2015 blog post in which its co-founder wrote that we are actively engaging the security community to address any concerns. The blog post, published in response to other reports of security worries and shortly before Bluebox circulated its findings, said no audio of children had been accessed. As for smartphones and computers, its important to keep software updated in order to avoid malware. Since software can disable warning lights meant to show when a camera is active, taping over a camera is the only way to be certain images arent being transmitted. Microphones are harder to debilitate, but some people stuff the audio jack with a nonworking plug. A microphone can not only listen to a conversation, it can also provide clues to passwords. In 2015, researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and Florida State University ran an experiment in which they were able to determine the passwords a user was typing on a keyboard by listening in via a smartphone placed near the keyboard. In a crowded space like an airplane, a hacker could place his own phone next to a keyboard and capture the keystrokes that way. While there is already considerable awareness of privacy risks associated with microphones, this awareness usually extends only to spoken words and not necessarily to keystrokes, the study said. It recommended that microphone access on mobile devices should be tightly controlled. Yingying Chen, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology and an author of the study, said consumers ought to be informed of the risk of such snooping. Google updated its operating system in the fall of 2015 to ask users for permission to give apps access to their microphones rather than automatically allow the access, an approach that is similar to Apples mobile operating system. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Some governments, including Australias, have strict rules for cell phone use at high-level meetings. It is standard practice, on both sides of politics, that no electronic transmitting devices be allowed in the Cabinet room for a range of reasons including security, according to a spokeswoman from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Australia. Officials in the United Kingdom have been told to leave their Apple Watches behind before Cabinet meetings because of concerns that the devices, which have microphones, could be hacked and used to eavesdrop on conversations, according to the Telegraph. (A different security concern for smartwatches, Chen and other researchers have pointed out, is that their sensors could be hacked to reveal the watch owners hand movements, which could be used, for example, when someone is entering a personal identification number at an ATM.) There are also worries about voice-activated devices listening to everyday conversations and sending the information to third parties. An attorney in New York raised that issue last year when he read the privacy policy on his Samsung TV. It said spoken words, including personal or other sensitive information, could be part of information captured and transmitted to a third party. California subsequently passed a law that would require smart-TV manufacturers to notify customers during set-up that the TV can listen in on their private conversations, and bars manufacturers from selling that information to third parties for advertising purposes. You have devices, once they are turned on and activated, that are capable of hovering over massive amounts of data and capturing lots of background conversations, said Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, who helped author the law. If that gets in the wrong hands, its not going to be a good thing. Amazon said the information collected on its Internet-connected home devices isnt used for advertising purposes, though it does track purchases made through its Echo speaker. Apple said the information Siri collects is anonymized, encrypted and not used for advertising either. Google said it does not serve ads on Google Home but it may use conversations with Google Home to make ads in other services more useful to the user. Despite the controversies, analysts dont believe that people will stop buying Internet-connected devices. Thats because the gadgets can make life more convenient. Houghton, the spy museum historian, lives in Washington, D.C., and says he has a webcam installed so he can keep an eye on his mother in Florida. Its possible that the device could be hacked and people could see what his mom is doing in her home, but it is a risk he is willing to take because that technology also allows him to check up on her and make sure shes OK. Its the give-and-take we have in this modern world, where technology is redefining what we consider security and privacy, he said. Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee Californias system that forces companies to pay for the greenhouse gases they emit a key element of the states fight against global warming may be staging a comeback. For much of 2016, many companies appeared to be boycotting the states emissions-trading system known as cap and trade, uncertain whether the regime would survive. In May, when the state held its quarterly auction of greenhouse gas permits, only 11 percent sold. On Tuesday, state officials reported the results of the years last quarterly auction, held Nov. 15 and they showed a dramatic rebound. This time, companies snapped up more than 88 percent of the current-year permits offered, the best performance of any quarterly auction since February. But despite the relatively strong finish to 2016, the programs long-term future remains unsettled. That uncertainty adds to the air of doubt hanging over climate efforts nationwide following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, given his past statements that global warming is a hoax. (On Tuesday, Trump appeared to soften his stance on climate change in an interview with the New York Times, saying clean air was important.) But the main issues plaguing cap and trade in California have nothing to do with Trump. A long-running lawsuit filed by the California Chamber of Commerce seeks to have the system declared an illegal business tax that should have required a two-thirds vote of the legislature to take effect. Oral arguments in the case, first filed in 2012, are scheduled to begin in January. Critics of the program, as well as the states Legislative Analysts Office, have argued that the system does not have legal authority to proceed past 2020. The state agency that runs most of Californias global-warming prevention efforts, the California Air Resources Board, disagrees and is planning to keep cap and trade running into the next decade. Gov. Jerry Brown, who has made addressing climate change a central part of his legacy, spent much of the summer trying to convince legislators to explicitly extend the system past 2020. But he set a high bar, trying to line up the support of two thirds of legislators, in case the Chamber of Commerce won its suit. Republicans and business-friendly Democrats balked. And yet, cap and trade scored a partial victory in Sacramento when the legislature passed SB32, which requires the state to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The bills, quickly signed into law by Brown, does not spell out how California should cut its emissions. But the cap and trade system, already running, would be one logical choice. Most of the market is reasonably confident about the continuation past 2020, said Harry Horner, head of analysis for CaliforniaCarbon.info. He added, however, that questions about the lawsuit have not fully subsided. There a remains a chance that even if the suit doesnt wreck the cap-and-trade system altogether, it could change elements of the program. Realistically, the case is going to be a cloud of uncertainty over the market for a year and a half, two years, Horner said. Cap and trade sets a declining limit on the amount of greenhouse gases that California industries can emit, then forces companies to buy a permit known as an allowance for every ton of heat-trapping gas they pump into the sky. The companies can also buy and sell allowances amongst themselves on a secondary, private market. The system covers both California and the Canadian province of Quebec. Ontario is exploring the possibility of joining as well. At one point, six other U.S. states and two other Canadian provinces were considering joining, but dropped out. While backers of the program welcomed the strong results from the latest quarterly auction, they attributed some of the buying to timing. The system set a minimum price for allowances, and that minimum rises each year. Allowances in the most recent auction sold for the floor price of $12.73 per metric ton of greenhouse gases. Prices will automatically increase to about $13.50 per ton in the first auction next year. While buying increased in November, the system remains plagued by what some call a symptom of its success an oversupply of allowances. The states industries have been able to trim their greenhouse gas emissions faster than expected. As a result, companies dont need to buy as many allowances as the state has made available. Some may have bought more than they need. Michael Short / Special To The Chronicle 2016 Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Horner estimates the oversupply may now stand at 77 million allowances, or tons. For comparison, 87 million current-year allowances were offered at the most recent auction, and almost 77 million sold. Keeping emissions below the cap has proved to be not as challenging as the systems authors anticipated, said Alex Jackson, legal director of the California Climate Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. And while most of the current allowances sold in the November auction, companies largely avoided buying allowances for future years. Of the 10 million future vintage allowances offered in the auction, just 1 million sold. While oversupply and legal issues may still dog the program, Trumps election will likely have little effect, several analysts said. Californias cap-and-trade system is grounded in a state law AB32, passed in 2006. While Trump has stocked his transition team and his possible cabinet picks with people who have questioned the reality or severity of climate change, the federal government doesnt have any active involvement in the California program. And California began planning that program during the presidency of George W. Bush, not an advocate of aggressive government action on global warming. AB32 was passed during an administration that was somewhat antagonistic toward climate action, so we have practice doing that, said Erica Morehouse, staff attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF The organization behind the annual Davos global economic summit announced Monday that it will open a center in San Francisco to study the implications of new technologies poised to transform society. The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to be based in the Presidio, will bring together experts from industry, government and academia to study the ethical, legal and social issues raised by such technologies as artificial intelligence, military drones, 3-D printing and digital currencies. The center is an offshoot of the World Economic Forum, an organization best known for convening annual meetings of economic and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland. The forum already has offices in New York, Beijing and Tokyo, in addition to its Swiss headquarters. "We are living at a crucial moment in history, I would say a turning point for the world we are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution," forum founder Klaus Schwab told a group of 200 people gathered Monday at the Presidio's Golden Gate Club. "It is imperative that we understand and face the choices we could and should make today." The forum identifies the fourth industrial revolution as the current wave of technology that includes physical systems and cyberintelligence as well as innovations that merge both. Self-driving cars are one example. So are efforts to refine the human body and brain using gene editing or custom-designed medications to improve performance. Schwab and a panel of business and government leaders speaking at the Golden Gate Club warned that the new wave of rapid technological change could provoke a fierce public backlash if it throws people out of work. "The idea, the libertarian idea, that technology can exist in a vacuum and will solve the world's problems without the involvement of government is naive," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. She noted that self-driving vehicles could soon threaten the jobs of America's 5 million truck drivers. "If you unemploy a huge segment of our population, that isn't good for society," she said. An article on the forums website pinpoints the start of the first industrial revolution, based on steam power and mechanical production tools, in the 1780s. The second revolution began 90 years later, with the introduction of electricity and mass production. The third, by the forums reckoning, started in 1969 and was based on information technology and automated production. The new center will study how new, disruptive technologies will affect individuals, businesses and society. It will also facilitate discussion of public policies to govern the deployment of those technologies, according to the forum. The center is in negotiations to lease a space in the Presidio. The panelists speaking at Monday's event agreed that the dawning revolution could benefit human lives or upend them. Several noted the populist backlash against globalization evident in the U.S. presidential election and the United Kingdom's Brexit vote to leave the European Union. "We're at a decision point where we'll need to decide, will the Fourth Industrial Revolution be for everyone or just for the 1 percent?" said Marc Benioff, Salesforce CEO and a member of the forum's board of trustees. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF A Richmond man has been charged with a hate crime and murder in the death of an African American man found beaten and shot on an El Sobrante road near a pool hall where investigators believe he was attacked. Daniel Porter-Kelly, 31, who is white, was arrested Nov. 16 and is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office. County prosecutors have charged Porter-Kelly with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement in the killing of 28-year-old William Sims of Richmond, police said. On Tuesday, authorities identified two other suspects for whom they are searching: Ray Simons, 32, of Hercules, and Daniel Ortega, 31, of Novato or Richmond. The two, both of whom are white, are considered armed and dangerous. Investigators believe Sims was inside the nearby Capri Club a pool hall and bar in the 4100 block of Appian Way in El Sobrante in the early morning hours of Nov. 12 when the suspects jumped, robbed and killed him. He was beaten and shot, authorities said. A sergeant with the sheriffs office came across Sims body in the street near the pool hall just after 2 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sims, 28, was a musician who also held a retail job. He had no gang ties or criminal history, said Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the sheriffs office. Lee told KPIX-TV that authorities believe Sims was targeted because he was black. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Detectives also arrested Ortegas mother, 54-year-old Renee Brown of Novato, on suspicion of interfering with the investigation. Brown was held on $500,000 bail. Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of Ortega or Simons can contact the sheriffs department anonymously at (866) 846-3592. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley A male student was sexually assaulted at UC Berkeley inside a university affiliated student cooperative housing unit, police said Tuesday. The assault was reported shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the UC Berkeley Police Department. The victim, a UC Berkeley student, told police he was assaulted by a man he met on the Internet. It was unclear whether the suspect was also a student. Police said he is approximately 20 years old. The victim and the suspect met at the victims co-op room, and the assault occurred around 1:30 a.m., police said. Officials did not specify the co-op where the alleged assault occurred. The Berkeley co-op system consists of a series of apartment complexes and houses, some affiliated with the university, where students live together in large groups and often participate in shared social events and other functions. Police were working to identify the suspect, but no arrest has been made. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Melissa Lim remembers the first time she locked eyes with Noel Gallagher, the lead guitarist of Oasis. It was backstage at the Bottom of the Hill on Sept. 26, 1994, where the quarrelsome British rock band was making its San Francisco live debut in support of its platinum-selling first album, Definitely Maybe. He came over and sat down next to me, she says. I had never been backstage before, so I asked him, Wheres the afterparty? And he goes, What afterparty? Can I hang out with you tonight? The encounter would play a major part in the groups formative years, chronicled in the action-packed new documentary, Supersonic (from the makers of Amy), which hit U.S. theaters last month. Three days later, after a disastrous concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles where the band members were high on crystal meth and saddled with mismatched set lists things came to a head. Gallagher was struck in the face by a tambourine hurled by younger brother Liam, and decided hed had enough. Gallagher grabbed his passport, boarded a plane to San Francisco and reportedly went into hiding at Lims apartment in lower Nob Hill. He was very upset, she says. I took him in, fed him and tried to calm him down. He wanted to break up the band. Carol Vaziri As Oasis manager and record label staff frantically searched for him, Gallagher settled in with the San Francisco native. We went to Huntington Park to clear his mind, Lim says. We listened to music. We went record shopping. One day, while out for her usual supply of Snapple Strawberry Lemonade, Lim recalls bringing back a handful of British music magazines back to the apartment all of them included prominent features on Oasis. San Francisco has a reputation of being a place where bands come to die, like the Band and the Sex Pistols, says Lim. I wasnt going to let it happen on my watch. I told him, You cant leave the band youre on the verge of something big. In Supersonic, without mentioning her specifically, the bands producer Mark Coyle calls Lim a spiritual animal who took Gallagher under her wing and set him straight. Gallaghers memory of their time together is less clear, most likely impaired by his level of indulgence. If I close my eyes now, I cant even picture the girl, he says in the film. I cant remember her name. When The Chronicle asked Oasis to confirm Lims story, Gallagher declined to comment. But the memories are vivid for Lim, who still holds on to old photos of her and Gallagher during that pivotal period. She may not be named in the documentary, but Lim played a crucial role in Oasis lore. Once Gallagher decided to resume his band duties, one of the first things he did was check into a studio in Austin, where he recorded the songs Half the World Away and Talk Tonight: All your dreams are made, Of strawberry lemonade, And you make sure I eat today, You take me walking, To where you played when you were young. On the chorus, Gallagher sings, I want to talk tonight/ Until the mornin light/ Bout how you saved my life. Lim says she and Gallagher stayed in touch as the tour continued, meeting when Oasis shot the video for the song Supersonic at the Cabazon Dinosaurs in Southern California. They would also talk on the phone regularly, with Lim answering the phone with a line from the film Bye Bye Birdie: Whats the story, morning glory? She often had to console him as the brothers fought nonstop with each other and just about anyone else who entered their orbit, including bandmates, relatives and associates. Lims long-distance relationship ended when Gallagher met his future wife, Meg Matthews, at the tail end of 1994 (they married in 1997, divorced in 2001). When Oasis returned to San Francisco to perform at the Fillmore in early 1995, Lim found Gallagher to be distant. But hoping to maintain their relationship, she told him, Its OK, I wont look back in anger. I know were just friends. Although Gallagher didnt tell her at the time, Oasis second album was titled (Whats the Story) Morning Glory? It sold more than 22 million copies worldwide, launched the career-defining singles Wonderwall and Dont Look Back in Anger, and led to the 1996 concerts in Knebworth, England, which drew 250,000 fans over two nights. The documentary closes with that crowning moment, even though Oasis pressed on to diminishing returns until 2009. Watching Supersonic, Lim says she wasnt disappointed by Gallaghers callous attitude about their time together. Keith Richards can remember the name of his milkman from when he was 8 years old, she says. I dont know whats going on with Noel, and thats fine. I was a part of something that touched so many people. Thats good enough. Aidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicles pop music critic. E-mail: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MusicSF Supersonic: Documentary. Starring Noel Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Christine Biller and Mark Coyle. Directed by Mat Whitecross. (R. 122 minutes.) To see a trailer: https://youtu.be/9waBd3yPOLE The 35th president of the United States was the fourth to be shot dead in office. The Chronicles front page from Nov. 23, 1963, covers the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was shot through the head and neck as he rode beside his wife in a triumphal motorcade through downtown Dallas, the story read. Three shots cracked. Blood sprang from the presidents face and he fell face down in the backseat of the presidential limousine. He died in a Dallas hospital half an hour later. Shock spread through the nation as the news was broadcast on television and radio. In the shadow of the Cold War, many believed the country was under attack. Children were let out early from school. People wept openly. Families rushed home to ensure their loved ones were safe. That day, news broke at an astounding pace. The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was apprehended after killing a police officer a little over an hour after shooting Kennedy. Oswald, a former Marine who once tried to renounce his American citizenship and live in the Soviet Union, made no confession, read a second Associated Press and United Press story on the front page. I did not kill the president. I did not kill anyone, Oswald told newsmen. This is not justice. I might as well be in Russia. Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office in Air Force One alongside Jacqueline Kennedy, still wearing the clothes splattered with her husbands blood. The Chronicle took the unusual step of publishing a front-page editorial. In the aftermath of tragedy, it was a harsh indictment of the nations climate, an atmosphere in which an inspiring leader could be slain in cold blood. The young president whom we lost yesterday gave at all times his best to the nation, the editorial read. In the spirit of his inaugural address, he asked only what he could do for his country, and did it. Decades later, Kennedy remains an inspiration, and most Americans alive on Nov. 22, 1963, remember exactly where they were the moment they heard the news of his death. See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspapers history. Chronicle Covers highlights one classic Chronicle newspaper page from our archive every day for 366 days. Library director Bill Van Niekerken and producers Kimberly Chua, Michelle Devera and Jillian Sullivan contributed to the project. Tim ORourke is the executive producer and editor of SFChronicle.com. Email: torourke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TimothyORourke (Click to enlarge) An alleged brothel near a high school and San Mateo City Hall was busted and two men were arrested after residents of the Peninsula community complained to police, officials said Tuesday. An undercover investigation that began earlier this month led to the San Mateo Police Department serving a search warrant at a home in the 400 block of West 20th Avenue Monday evening. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The mood among guests mingling at the elegant City Hall Rotunda, where Human Rights Watch hosted its annual Voices for Justice dinner on Nov. 17 was decidedly subdued. When we look at parts of the world, its easy to feel devoid of hope, noted event co-chair Joy Alferness, seeking to soothe troubled souls who ruminated on recent political events. Humanity and human dignity are HRW bedrocks. In that commitment to equity and justice, hope does burn bright. The event was founded 15 years ago by human rights advocate and HRW trustee Darian Swig. This year supporters included co-chair Tina Bou-Saba; honorary chairs Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein; Linda and Jon Gruber; Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman; as well as sponsors Dagmar Dolby; Mark and Susie Tompkins Buell; Stephen Silberstein; Amy Rao and Harry Plant; JaMel and Tom Perkins; and new SF HRW director Jen Haile. Sans government funding, this international organization investigates, exposes and works to change abuses while bringing perpetrators to justice. And guests raised more than $500K for those efforts. The evening included a documentary screening of, The Investigators and honored Yonous Muhammadi, a leading defender of refugee rights in Greece. Even caterer Paula LeDuc got into this groove, creating a delish dinner (chickpea Kofta lettuce cups, Moroccan chicken and couscous) inspired by global cuisine. It doesnt matter if youre Muslim, Mexican or a migrant, exclaimed keynote speaker Bruno Stagno Ugarte, HRW deputy executive director of advocacy. We must ensure the toxic promise of President-elect Trump does not become true. Ring my bell: To launch its Red Kettle season, the Salvation Army hosted the 13th Holiday Lunch at its Turk Street HQ with Protocol Chief Charlotte Shultz. Dubbed, Honoring Charlotte and Her Mayors, 320 supporters gave a standing ovation to this beloved civic cheerleader who has devotedly volunteered for mayors John Shelley, Joe Alioto, George Moscone, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Art Agnos, Frank Jordan, Willie Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Ed Lee. Led by S.A. Divisional Leaders, Lt. Colonels Cindy and Tim Foley and a stellar committee (including Ellen Magnin Newman; Jeanne and Sandy Robertson; Reena Evers-Everette; Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz; Mary and C.W. Nevius), the festive fete featured a roast turkey feast that netted $520K for S.A. holiday programs and general fund that provides meals, assistance, clothing, rehab, school supplies and wellness programs to tens of thousands Bay Area children, families, homeless and seniors. 35 years ago, Shultz, dreamed up the Union Square Celebrity Bell Ringing Contest (which happens Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. ) where stars ring in S.A. Kettle Campaign cash. Charlotte is terrific and so creative. But her efforts arent about about her, its about who shes trying to help, toasted her husband, former Secretary of State George Shultz. Thats the Salvation Armys theme. And its the theme of my wonderful wife. Joining that chorus was Beach Blanket Babylon cast member Shawna Ferris McNulty, singing a surprise tribute written by Shultz pal, BBB producer Jo Schuman Silver. Not surprisingly, the hand-crafted lyrics were set to the tune of, Ring dem Bells. Cindy Foley recalled a few of Shultzs madcap civic events: the Golden Gate Bridge 50th anniversary; hosting Queen Elizabeth II and chasing down cable cars, in high heeled Ferragamos, while ringing her red bell to ask tourists for money. I love ringing that bell because the Salvation Army wraps its arms around people-in-need, enthused Shultz. I like asking people for money. Especially when I stand outside Saks Fifth Avenue and ask shoppers how much they spent. Then Ill ask them to donate 10 percent of that to the Salvation Army. But this year, Im increasing it to 20! Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Stella-tacular: Renowned artist Frank Stella drew interesting art-fellows to recent celebrations at the de Young Museum where fans of all stripes were wowed by the recently opened Frank Stella: A Retrospective. Storied vintner Donald Hess, an early collector, hied over from Switzerland to salute his pal whose works adorn many walls at Hess Collection Winery. And fashion house Max Mara hosted a gallery tour and McCalls dinner for the artist. This show is so exciting, enthused Maria Giulia Maramotti, a scion of the Italian luxury company and U.S. retail director. Even at 80, Stella continues to reinvent himself. Seeing his new works in this exhibition gives me goosebumps. Among fans: Fine Arts Museums Director Max Hollein and his wife, Nina; FAM board chair Dede Wilsey; Janet Barnes and Thomas Weisel; collector Frances Bowes; Dagmar Dolby; Whitney Museum director Adam Weinberg; Ray and Giselle Farris; Dorothy and David Saxe and FAM curator Timothy Burgard. During our 1,000-person Stella opening party, I thought the party was a big failure: Nobody was upstairs having cocktails. I wondered, Where is everybody? recalled Hollein, with a laugh. I was told, Everyones in the exhibition. Which speaks so highly about Frank Stella, a living legend and his art. Stella P.S.: The next day, Max Mara saluted Stella at a luncheon and Resort 2017 show hosted by Katie Traina. And Matthew Goldman and his brother, Jason Goldman, hosted a private tour and McCalls dinner inside the spectacular de Young tower. Theyd won a Night at the Museum auction item two years ago at the Mid-Winter Gala. The wait was worth it: Stella was the perfect palette for their artful posse of pals. Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicles society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow Google Maps / Google Maps Pepper spray was released into a classroom inside a San Jose middle school Tuesday, irritating nearly a dozen students and sending one to the hospital, a fire official said. Administrators flagged down a fire crew coincidentally conducting a routine annual fire safety inspection at Sylvandale Middle School, on Sylvandale Avenue off Senter Road, around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Capt. Mitch Matlow, a spokesman for the San Jose Fire Department. A man who was diagnosed with lung disease after working on nuclear submarines at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in the 1970s has no case against the supplier of the asbestos-filled insulation, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday, because the Navy ordered the product despite being aware of its dangers. Contractors that furnish products in compliance with the standards of a government agency, which has weighed a products known risks against its benefits, are protected from lawsuits for any harm the product causes, said the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco. Gary Kase, a civilian employee, worked at the Vallejo shipyard in the early 1970s, helping to load boxes of an asbestos-laden insulation called Unibestos onto nuclear submarines and working alongside those who were cutting the material, installing it on pipes and removing it. Kase was diagnosed in 2011 with the lung disease asbestosis. His lawyers said he settled suits against other companies involved in the production and distribution of Unibestos. But the supplier, Metalclad Insulation Corp., claimed immunity as a government contractor. In Wednesdays decision, which upheld a San Francisco Superior Court judges ruling in Metalclads favor, the court said the Navy first approved Unibestos for its vessels in the late 1930s and continued to use it until the early 1970s. Metalclad started shipping Unibestos, manufactured by Pittsburgh Corning Corp., to the Navy in 1968. By then, the court said, Navy officials were aware of increasing evidence of the dangers of asbestos. The Navy had studied Unibestos for decades and knew it posed serious health risks, Justice Kathleen Banke said in the 3-0 ruling. Yet, it nevertheless made a decision to ... continue using this asbestos product in its naval vessels ... a deliberative judgment call. Kases lawyers also argued that Unibestos could not be considered military equipment because it was available on the commercial market. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has agreed with that argument and allowed suits against Metalclad and other contractors to proceed in federal courts in California and other Western states. The federal ruling does not bind state courts, however. Banke said the Navys decision to approve Unibestos shields Metalclad, even if the product was also available to private companies. Kase and his wife, who also sued Metalclad, may ask the state Supreme Court to review the ruling, said Richard Grant, a lawyer for the couple. Unibestos was not designed pursuant to Navy specifications, Grant said. The court was also wrong in saying the government weighed the hazards of asbestos against its utility. There was no proof of that. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On a recent visit to San Francisco Chronicle's photo archives I came across a thick folder of old photos of cable cars. The images, many not seen for years, spanned several decades, mostly from the 1940s through the 1970s. A few images from 1947 showed a cable car being lifted on to a flatbed truck, with a brief caption saying it was off to Hollywood. I had to delve into the article archives to see if I could find the matching story. What I found, from June 10, 1947, was as follows: "A Cable Car Will Go to Hollywood Fame and fortune await a San Francisco cable car. The car will be loaded on a truck tomorrow, where it will 'star' in the movie, 'I Remember Mama.' Sidney Fogel, manager of RKO Studios' properties department, yesterday transacted the deal with Leonard V. Newton, vice president of California Street Cable Railways. The movie is an adaptation of the play, 'I Remember Mama,' a story of San Francisco between 1910 and 1914. The car is 41 years old, well-fitted for the role. The studio said it could have made a cable car of its own, for a lesser cost, but wanted the real thing. The car will be returned here." According to ReelSF, some of the movie was filmed in San Francisco, on the 500 block of Liberty Street in the Eureka Valley sub-neighborhood of the Castro district. The presence of the beloved cable car is almost as old as the city. According to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, the inspiration behind the system came from Andrew Smith Hallidie after he witnessed a horrible accident on a damp summer day in 1869. Hallidie saw the toll slippery grades could exact when a horse-drawn streetcar slid backwards under its heavy load. The steep, wet cobblestone street proved too much, and five horses were dragged to their deaths. According to legend, the shocking sight set Hallidie and his partners into action. "Hallidie's father was an inventor who had a patent in Great Britain for 'wire rope' cable. Hallidie immigrated to the U.S. in 1852 during the Gold Rush," according to the Cable Car Museum. "He began using cable in a system he had developed to haul ore from mines and in building suspension bridges." The Clay Street Hill Railroad launched in 1873 and by 1890 half a dozen competitors using similar technology had emerged. At one time there were "53 miles of track stretching from the Ferry Building to the Presidio, to Golden Gate Park, to the Castro, to the Mission," according to the Cable Car Museum. On Oct. 1, 1964, there was an official ceremony at Hyde and Beach Streets to designate San Francisco's cable car system a special "moving" National Historic Landmark. The queue for the cable cars, at the Powell and Market turnaround, this time of year can be quite long, filled with Christmas shoppers. If you plan to take a ride on one as part of your shopping experience, be prepared to shell out $7 per person. Bob Bragman is a producer for SFGATE. His writing reflects his love of the Bay Area, in addition to his passion for vintage pop culture, ephemera and vernacular photographs. To see more of his content, please click here. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The head of Oaklands public schools has parlayed his sometimes rocky two years in town into a bigger and more visible job in Washington, D.C., highlighting a trend of urban superintendents hopping jobs and leaving instability in their wake. The mid-year departure of Antwan Wilson, announced Tuesday, took district staffers, city officials and parents by surprise. But it shouldnt have. Around the country, the average urban superintendent stays two to three years, and Oaklands schools have been led by eight people in the past 16 years some named by the school board and others appointed amid a crisis-driven state takeover. I think its distressing because superintendents do set the tone and kind of set the spirit of a district, said Bruce Fuller, a professor of education and public policy at UC Berkeley. This instability just upsets any given course and any clear spirit thats motivating teachers and kids. More for you Superintendent Antwan Wilson Leaving District In February Wilson will head to the nations capital in February to serve as chancellor of schools. In a statement, he called the move bittersweet. I love Oakland and feel great about the work accomplished during my tenure here, said Wilson, who makes just over $400,000 in total compensation in Oakland. I am also excited to begin a new chapter in my career in which I will continue to dedicate myself to ensuring every student thrives. District officials in Oakland will quickly move to name an interim leader and start the search for a permanent replacement, a process that will be addressed at a special school board meeting Monday, said board President James Harris. Unfortunately, Oakland is very familiar with the churn of an urban school superintendent, he said. As a city, we dont have time to lament. Harris said the trustees will look for a candidate to continue the districts community schools effort, which includes providing a range of services for families at school sites, including health care. The next superintendent, he said, will also be expected to partner with the city, as Wilson has, to support programs like Oakland Promise, which provides students funding and support for college. And the next superintendent must have the stamina and stomach for the job. It is very difficult to sit in the fire of an urban district, Harris said. You take a lot of heat. Yet many urban leaders like Wilson are committed to the career. The complicating factor is that they often hopscotch across the country, boosting profiles and paychecks. Superintendent search firms have a stable of candidates they shop around, place in districts and then maybe a few years down the road poach again. San Francisco Unified is also looking for a superintendent after Richard Carranza left to run Houstons schools in September. The district has hired a search firm to identify candidates, and most if not all of them will probably convey a desire to put down roots and stay many years, said school board member Rachel Norton. But the odds are he or she wont stay. Its always a guess, its always a crapshoot in that sense, Norton said. I do think that folks who are building that kind of national profile are also more likely to be courted by other districts and want to be continuing on to new challenges. While San Franciscos recent superintendents have stayed longer than most Carranza for four years and Carlos Garcia before him for five Oakland has pushed the national average down with its eight leaders in 16 years, a number that includes both state appointees and interim superintendents. But Oakland has a lot of company. An EdSource survey this year of the biggest 30 school districts in California found that in 17 of them, the superintendent had been there for less than three years. Only two, Fresno and Long Beach, had a long-term superintendent who had stayed 10 years or more. I think its something school boards across the country should think about when they hire, said Rick Miller, executive director of Core Districts, which helps direct education reform efforts in eight districts, including San Francisco and Oakland. School boards do national searches to bring cachet to a district, he said. We need to all think differently about what makes a high-quality superintendent. Wilson was recruited from Denver, where he was an assistant superintendent, to take over Oakland schools. A native of Nebraska and a former middle-school principal in Kansas, he had participated in the Broad Superintendent Academy, a training program sponsored by billionaire Eli Broad, who supports a more corporate philosophy in running public education. The Broad superintendents often aim for national status and reputation, and they have strong personal career ambitions, said Tina Trujillo, an associate professor at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education. Almost nobody expected a Broad superintendent to stay, she said. Its a career ladder. That is completely counter to what a high-needs school district needs. Wilsons tenure in Oakland which like Washington, D.C., has about 49,000 students has been marked by criticism of his efforts to overhaul struggling schools in Oakland and to include charter schools in the districts enrollment process. Wilson drew fire within months of his arrival after he initiated a plan to redesign five high schools, an effort community members interpreted as code for conversion to charter schools. He also pledged to create a school enrollment process that allowed parents to choose from among the traditional public schools and the few dozen, nontraditional and largely independent charter schools, which many saw as a threat to the sustainability of their neighborhood schools. The teachers union and other community groups felt Wilson was an autocrat who made decisions without understanding the city and the people in it. The most recent school board election featured battles between incumbents who supported Wilson and union-endorsed challengers who didnt. The incumbents won. Not everyone was sad to see him go. His departure presents Oakland with a unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past, and select a new leader who is committed to making a difference in our students and who will stay in Oakland long enough to see those changes through, said Kim Davis of Parents United for Public Schools, a community group representing Oakland families, in a statement. His mid-year decision also did not sit well with Oakland teachers union President Trish Gorham. I dont begrudge anybody making a career move, she said. However, teachers who want to move on to greener pastures in the middle of the year are told their credential will be suspended. Wilsons supporters, however, applauded his work in Oakland, including efforts to increase resources and support for schools serving the most disadvantaged students. Policies and programs he supported including restorative justice and the African American Male Achievement initiative were there when he came and will be there after he leaves, said Gloria Lee, founder of Educate 78, an Oakland nonprofit working to support public education. This is very much a team effort, the proverbial village, she said. The work of creating great public schools in a city goes way beyond one person. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker MICHAEL MALONEY / SFC A person was struck and killed by a Caltrain near Bellevue Avenue in San Mateo Tuesday afternoon, according to the transportation agency. The person whose identity was not immediately available was allegedly trespassing on the tracks when he or she was struck by a southbound train around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. If you're looking for a way to burn off some calories before you feast this Thanksgiving, check out this festive, albeit challenging, bike route through San Francisco. The 50-mile route outlines the shape of a turkey, with the starting line near Castro and 14th St. The wing takes you through the Castro, Dolores Heights, and the Mission District. The route gets harder to follow from there, forming the feathers of the turkey on the east side of the city. Federal auto safety regulators are allowing General Motors to delay a large recall of potentially defective air bags, giving the company time to prove that the devices are safe and to possibly avoid a huge financial hit. The unusual move by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration buys time for GM to do long-term tests of Takata air bag inflators in older trucks and SUVs including its top-selling vehicle, the Chevrolet Silverado pickup. GM reluctantly agreed to recall 2.5 million vehicles in May to replace Takata front-passenger inflators. The company said at the time its inflators are unique and safer than those linked to 11 deaths in the U.S. and as many as 16 worldwide. The company petitioned for the delay last week and the government agreed Monday. The decision delays the recall until Aug. 31, 2017. If GM can prove that the inflators are safe by that time, the recall could be canceled. The recall also covers the GMC Sierra pickup and many popular full-size SUVs from the 2007 to 2011 model years. Some of the trucks are older than the minimum six years that it takes for Takata inflators to deteriorate and become risky. But GM contends its tests show they are safe for at least 3 more years. The testing could help GM fend off several recalls totaling 6.8 million trucks and SUVS with the same inflators that ultimately could cost the company $870 million, according to a GM filing with securities regulators. Another batch of recalls is slated to start Dec. 31. The delay also pushes the decision into the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has stated that he wants to get rid of unnecessary government regulation. GM said the timing of its filings was motivated by looming deadlines. Any other conclusion is just speculation, it said. One auto safety advocate called the decision a backroom deal and questioned whether it would keep people safe. Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. Tests show the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to prolonged high temperatures and airborne moisture. That can make it burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister and flinging shrapnel into drivers and passengers. The safety agencys decision will delay the recall by about two months. GM has said it will take until June of 2017 to design and manufacture replacement inflators. GM will continue engineering and will be ready if regulators decides the recall should happen. The GM case began when Takata filed papers with the government declaring that 40 million inflators in vehicles from 17 auto manufacturers were defective and should be recalled. The addition pushed the number of recalled inflators to about 70 million, adding to what already was the largest auto recall in U.S. history. The recalls would be phased in through December of 2019 as replacement parts become available. In its petition seeking the delay, GM said 52,000 air bags in its trucks SUVs have inflated in crashes, and none has ruptured. The company also said Takata has tested 1,475 GM inflators and all worked as designed. GM also said its inflators have bigger vents than more dangerous Takata inflators, and stronger steel end caps. It also says its trucks have solar-absorbing glass that holds down cabin temperatures, keeping the inflators cooler. The long-term tests would be done by Orbital ATK, a Virginia engineering company that already has determined the cause of Takata inflator ruptures. Regulators said GM will update the agency monthly on testing, and if the agency finds any safety problems, it can require the recall to start. If GM can get the 2.5 million-truck recall canceled, it likely will seek the same decision for 4.3 million more trucks with the same inflators that were due to be recalled starting next year. Safety advocates and a lawmaker argued against a previous GM petition to delay the recalls. Sean Kane, president of Safety Research and Strategies Inc., a Massachusetts firm that does testing for plaintiffs lawyers and other clients, said the timing of the decision shows it was a backroom deal that left the public in the dark. Kane said the safety agency apparently didnt consider Takatas manufacturing and quality control problems. In past recalls, automakers excluded some vehicles because they had not experienced inflator ruptures, yet the vehicles were eventually recalled, he said. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., wrote that before a South Carolina man was killed by a Takata inflator in a Ford Ranger pickup, Ford had tested 1,900 Ranger inflators and found no sign of abnormalities. He called the GM delay a mistake and said other automakers could now ask for the same thing while an untold number of drivers continues to be at risk for serious injury or death. Normally, automakers cover the cost of recalls and are reimbursed by parts makers. But Takata is struggling financially, putting reimbursement in jeopardy. Takata has hired a restructuring firm to seek a buyer, and its also possible that its North American operations will seek bankruptcy protection. That could shelter it from some recall costs, which then would have to be borne by automakers such as GM. Billionaire brothers Charles and David Kochs company fought for years to hold on to millions of dollars in profit from Bernard Madoffs Ponzi scheme. That battle just paid off. Koch Industries and dozens of other former Madoff customers are expected to keep as much as $2 billion they made from the con mans bogus securities transactions after U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Stuart Bernstein in Manhattan ruled the cash is out of reach of a trustee recovering money for victims. The ruling on Monday underscores that even eight years after the collapse of the biggest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history, the litigation stemming from the scam is still being defined by which Madoff customers profited at the expense of others. Many are still waiting for their principal. Koch Industries and defendants in about 100 other suits argued the profit was beyond U.S. jurisdiction because it had been transferred usually from offshore feeder funds to foreign banks in the years before Madoffs December 2008 arrest. Irving Picard, the lawyer who is liquidating the New York firm, contended that the money could be clawed back because investors and feeder funds must have known they were subject to U.S. law. Bernstein disagreed. While Picard has had mixed success in court, his combination of settlements and courtroom victories has raised almost $11.5 billion for victims, who lost $17.5 billion in principal. The litigation involving Koch and the other early Madoff investors relied on a legal defense known as extraterritoriality, and held the last large pot of cash that may have been available for victims. Koch, an industrial conglomerate and one of the biggest private companies in the U.S., started investing with Madoff in the mid-1990s, according to court records. The company, run by the conservative-activist brothers who are worth a combined $102 billion, has refused Picards demands to return the money. Picard sued Koch to recover $21.5 million that had been sent from Madoffs firm in 2005 to a fund based in the British Virgin Islands, and then to a Koch entity in the United Kingdom. The defendants in the related cases initially claimed a victory in 2014 when U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff said that money transferred overseas is generally out of Picards reach, but sent the case back to Bankruptcy Court for further arguments on how his ruling impacted the individual cases. Mondays decision dismisses almost all the claims and denies Picards request to amend them, said Franklin Velie, who represented the defendants in all the lawsuits. Foreign banks and service providers were dragged into the bankruptcy in the U.S. and claims were made against them for vast sums, said Velie, with the law firm Sullivan & Worcester in New York. We are hopeful this is the end of the matter. Picard didnt accuse Koch and the other defendants of wrongdoing. As in his many prior suits to recover cash, the trustee argued the returns werent legitimate because Madoff used money from new investors to cover the fake profits of older ones. Picards spokeswoman, Amanda Remus, said lawyers are reviewing the 87-page ruling and declined to immediately comment. Rob Carlton, a spokesman for the Kochs, declined to comment. Most of the $2 billion affected by the ruling involves transfers from funds that were operated by Fairfield Greenwich Group by far the biggest feeder fund that channeled investors money to Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. In many cases, the money was transferred from one overseas account to another, putting it further out of Picards reach and complicating his litigation efforts. Mark Cunha, a lawyer for Fairfield, didnt immediately return a call seeking comment on the decision. Madoff is serving a 150-year sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina for running the Ponzi scheme. Erik Larson is a Bloomberg writer. Email: elarson4@bloomberg.net. SAN ANTONIO The suspect arrested in the ambush shooting of a San Antonio police detective has said he was angry about a child-custody battle and lashed out at somebody who didnt deserve it. Otis Tyrone McKane was being led by police to the Bexar County Jail late Monday when he told reporters that he was angry with the court system for not letting him see his son and took it out on 50-year-old Detective Benjamin Marconi, a 20-year veteran of the force. Ive been through several custody battles, and I was upset at the situation I was in, and I lashed out at someone who didnt deserve it, McKane said. He said he wanted to apologize to the family of the slain officer. McKane, 31, of San Antonio was arrested on a capital murder charge Monday afternoon in the fatal shooting of Marconi. The detective was shot as he sat in his squad car Sunday after making a traffic stop. Authorities have said a gunman walked up to Marconis drivers-side window and fired. It was one of several weekend attacks against law enforcement in multiple states. The San Antonio detective and officers shot in Missouri and Florida were conducting routine tasks Sunday when they became the targets of violence. Marconi was writing a traffic ticket. In Missouri, a St. Louis police sergeant was shot twice in the face Sunday evening while he sat in traffic in a marked police vehicle. He was released from a hospital Monday. Police officers also were shot and injured during traffic stops in Sanibel, Fla., and Gladstone, Mo., on Sunday night, but authorities have not suggested those were targeted attacks. St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson declined to name the 46-year-old officer who was shot and wounded there. He said the officer is a married father of three and has been with the department for about 20 years. This officer was driving down the road and was ambushed by an individual who pointed a gun at him from inside of his car and shot out the police officers window, Dotson said. The suspect, 19-year-old George P. Bush III, was wanted for questioning in recent violent crimes that included several robberies, a carjacking and perhaps a killing, Dotson said without elaborating. Police said Bush was later killed in a shootout with officers. Throughout this bitter election campaign, liberal celebrities like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence, Lena Dunham and Lin-Manuel Miranda used their powerful media platforms to sing Hillary Clintons praises. Now theyve invited their online followers to join them in processing her loss and protesting the impending administration of Donald Trump. I want to live in a #CountryOfKindness where #LoveTrumpsHate, Lady Gaga wrote on Twitter the day after the election. She added a photo of herself at a protest outside Trump Tower in Manhattan, where she had climbed onto a truck in a strapless black jumpsuit and raised a pro-Clinton sign. While the angry tweets, therapeutic Instagram testimonials and fiery speeches may comfort their fans, these left-leaning celebrities are also inadvertently energizing the opposition. Conservative news outlets most notably Breitbart News Network, the right-wing populist enclave are perfecting the art of sapping Democratic stars name recognition and repurposing their words and actions into pro-Trump material. The enormous reach that celebrities enjoy, and the privileged bubble they live in, is wielded against them here, refashioned as evidence of the outsize control that the rich and famous have over regular Americans. This new battle in the culture wars is being waged not by bombastic, big-name right-wing commentators like Rush Limbaugh, but by nimble, often nameless online aggregators who quickly churn through popular culture and throw the most evocative stories to their readers, often without much commentary. All it takes is a pointed headline, an unflattering photo and a few well-chosen (and real) quotes. Like this: Lady Gaga Protests on Sanitation Truck Outside Trump Tower, read Breitbarts headline for its article on her tweet. America is divided by its politics, its media, and as this election made even clearer, by its celebrity influencers. In the weeks before the election, Avengers director Joss Whedon booted up his own online public service announcement factory, Save the Day, and recruited stars like Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson to churn out Web videos for Clinton. Katy Perry, America Ferrera, LeBron James and Beyonce joined Democratic candidate at rallies. And when Vice President-elect Mike Pence caught a performance of the Broadway hit Hamilton on Friday, Nov. 18, one of the shows stars addressed him on behalf of the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us. No offense to Paris Hilton and Pat Boone, but the president-elect doesnt have the biggest stars on his side. Instead, Breitbart mostly uses its culture pages to aim spitballs at Hollywood lefties. As part of its coverage of what it calls Big Hollywood, the glamour of celebrities becomes grist for the sites overarching narrative about the corrosive influence of the cultural elite. The image that Dunham posted to Instagram of a restorative trip to Sedona, Ariz., may have played as soothingly aspirational for an audience with many young, coastal women, but to Breitbarts demo, under the headline Grieving Lena Dunham Seeks Answers in Arizona Wilderness After Trump Win, it looks like a damning shot of a celebrity who decided to jet into a red state for a quirky vacation retreat. As the Hamilton controversy raged, prodded by Trumps demand that the cast apologize to Pence, Breitbart pointedly reminded readers of the private fundraiser that Miranda hosted for Clinton during the campaign, where ticket prices ranged from $2,700 to $100,000. And just like that, a celebrity speaking out against Trump becomes a point in his defense. Breitbarts postelection Hollywood coverage appears largely to be a cool cataloging of aggrieved celebrities, including Rick Ross (who just dropped a video for the song Free Enterprise, which includes a lyric that makes reference to assassinating Trump). Beneath the surface of these articles, though, is subtle signaling at work. A piece about a postelection Vice essay by Lawrence, in which she railed against the barriers still facing women in the workplace, includes an underhanded accolade about her: She was recently named the highest-paid actress in Hollywood for the second straight year. This recent headline Depressed Robert De Niro: Trump Election Makes Me Feel Like I Did After 9/11 packs a one-two punch, pairing the image of a pathetic, weepy liberal with a flip attitude toward terrorism. Breitbarts article on the Hamilton dust-up, titled Tolerance: Hamilton Cast Lectures Mike Pence From Broadway Stage, is threaded with buzzwords tolerance, lectures, Broadway that cast liberals as elite, pedantic hypocrites. Postelection, Breitbart may appear little different from any celebrity-news aggregator. But the sites greater political context, as a breeding ground for extremists, adds another layer. Breitbart is the site that boosted Stephen Bannon to a thought leader. (Once the sites executive chairman, he took a leave of absence to steer Trumps campaign and now has a top White House position.) With that in mind, an article calling attention to Dunhams Jewish faith feels like a bone thrown to the sites white nationalist readers. And the catalog of slighted celebrities starts to read like something of a star-studded enemies list. The real ideological action is undertaken by the audience, whose members read between the lines of these culture pieces and then scribble in the margins. Breitbarts two posts on Dunham have amassed more than 10,000 comments, including this insight: Lena was an awesome Trump vote recruiter. Meanwhile, a Patriotic Folks piece on Lady Gagas quotes from a Harpers Bazaar essay soon migrated to a pro-Trump Facebook page that reaches millions, Make America Great Today, which shared it with a baiting line, More white women voted for Donald J. Trump than Hillary Clinton. Lefty celebrities have long been preaching to the choir, but they are increasingly galvanizing the other side when their chatter is rerouted into an online conservative echo chamber. A study last year by Bowling Green State University professors David Jackson and Melissa Miller found that celebrity political statements were highly polarizing to a sample set of Ohio voters, and that no celebrity not Trace Adkins, not Ted Nugent, not even Oprah was likely to inspire net positive votes for his or her candidate of choice. These right-wing aggregators make sure that any leftist celebritys political reach will be neutralized by a backlash from people who dont idolize and agree with them. None of that is likely to stop celebrities from using their own soapboxes to promote their politics. But they would be smart to consider how their words will play on other platforms, too. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Celebrities often disappoint in real life, but Tom Hanks, if anything, gets more and more lovely with each anecdote. The latest tale of Hanks' down-to-earth generosity comes via an artist named Denise Esposito, who heard that Hanks was coming to Rome in October for a film festival. "I already knew that I would be there as a photographer, so I immediately thought that I really had to do something special," Esposito says. "I started to think about what could express all my gratitude in a simple way, and one afternoon I came up with the idea of the sketchbook." With only a month until his arrival, Esposito got to sketching, filling a notebook with beautiful sketches of Hanks in all of his movie roles (you can see some of those sketches in the gallery above). Thanks to the help of a film festival employee, Esposito got her sketchbook into the hands of Hanks' PR person and when Hanks saw the sketches, he immediately asked to meet the artist. Esposito got to shake his hand and take a selfie, and there she thought her wonderful experience had drawn to a close. Hanx, however, had one more surprise for Esposito. The actor sent Esposito a Royal typewriter with a typewritten note on his special Hanx-branded stationary: "For your lovely book of sketches of -- all -- those movies," it reads. "Here is a typewriter to do with whatever you need... Make more art! And many thanks..." Hanks is a well-known typewriter collector and, as nice as it is to have shelves of collectibles, it's even nicer that Hanks is giving away typewriters to fans. Here's video of Tom Hanks receiving his Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday: For Esposito, who already called Hanks her favorite actor before his incredible gift, it was further validation of her admiration for the Bay Area native. "Thanks to his movies and everything else related to him, I've learned a lot, I discovered new stories, new music, and many other interesting things, and this makes him more than just a very good actor," Esposito says. "He's real a source of inspiration, he's a wonderful human being. "He's Tom Hanks. He's like the sun shining!" To see more of Esposito's art, you can visit her Facebook page. 1 Ferguson schools: A federal judge ordered the school district that includes part of Ferguson, Mo, to institute a new method of electing school board members in an effort to remove racial bias from the process. ACLU attorney Tony Rothert on Tuesday hailed the ruling, saying it will finally give black voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The lawsuit alleged that the districts practice of selecting board members at-large made it more difficult for black candidates to win election. 2 Package bomb: A bomb stuffed inside a padded envelope exploded in a Philadelphia downtown apartment early Tuesday when a man opened the package, apparently thinking it contained medicine, police said. The victim was hospitalized with hand and chest injuries. Federal agents and the city bomb squad were investigating the blast that injured a man in his 60s at about 4 a.m. The mans name has not been released. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would keep an open mind about whether to pull the United States out of a landmark multinational agreement on climate change. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would withdraw from the Paris climate accord. But on Tuesday, he said, Im looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it. Trumps comments came at an on-the-record lunch with the publisher, editors and reporters of the New York Times, a meeting that was scheduled, canceled, and then reinstated by Trump after a dispute with the Times over the ground rules. Trump said he did not want to inflict any more suffering on Hillary Clinton, explaining why he did not intend to investigate Clinton for her handling of classified information or the dealings of the Clinton Foundation. I dont want to hurt the Clintons, I really dont, Trump said. She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways. Trump opened the discussion with a list of grievances about the newspapers coverage of him, though he couched it in terms of wanting to improve the relationship. I have great respect for the New York Times, he said. I have tremendous respect. I think Ive been treated very rough. Trump denied that his campaign had energized the so-called alt-right movement, saying he disavowed it. Its not a group I want to energize, he said. And if they are energized, I want to look into it and find out why. In other parts of the discussion: Trump brushed aside questions about conflicts arising from his business dealings, declaring that the laws totally on my side, the president cant have a conflict of interest. He said it would be extremely difficult to sell off his businesses because they are real estate holdings. He also noted that he had turned over the management of the businesses to his children. If it were up to some people, he said, I would never, ever see my daughter Ivanka again. Trump suggested that under the law, In theory I could run my business perfectly and then run the country perfectly. Theres never been a case like this. Trump offered a robust defense of his campaign chairman and newly appointed chief strategist, Stephen Bannon. If I thought he was a racist or alt-right or any of the things, the terms we could use, I wouldnt even think about hiring him, he said. When Trump was asked whether he condemned an alt-right conference over the weekend in Washington, where some attendees raised their arms in a Hitler-like salute, he said, I disavow and condemn them. The California Supreme Court jumped into a high-stakes dispute over public employee pensions Tuesday, agreeing to decide whether laws aimed at limiting preretirement actions to inflate future benefits can be applied to millions of government workers. A state appeals court in San Francisco ruled in a Marin County case in August that the new laws could be applied to current employees a potentially major setback for the workers and their unions, and a victory for local governments facing mounting deficits in their pension plans. But the states high court voted unanimously Tuesday to put that ruling on hold while it reviews the issue for a future statewide resolution. The justices also said they would await another ruling by the appellate court on a similar case involving sheriffs deputies in Alameda County. A final decision is at least a year away. The new laws were intended to curb pension spiking, the practice of boosting retirement benefits by increasing an employees pay during the final years of employment. It is often done by cashing out unused vacation time, sick leave, compensation for use of ones car and other nonmonetary benefits. One example that gained national attention involved an Orinda-Moraga fire chief, Peter Nowicki, who became eligible for a $240,000 pension $47,000 above his final base pay when he retired in 2009 at age 50. Six years later, the local retirement board, which had previously approved Nowickis pension, reduced it to $173,000 and ordered him to return the additional payments over eight years. The issue has huge implications. More than 2 million state and local government employees in California belong to retirement plans, according to court filings. Those plans face staggering deficits. A study in 2010 by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research estimated a shortfall of more than $500 billion in pension plans for state employees, teachers and University of California workers. Responsibility for the underfunding has been heatedly debated, but there is little dispute that it threatens to force counties and cities to lay off workers and reduce public services. The Legislature responded with a pair of laws that Gov. Jerry Brown signed, effective in 2013. The laws prohibited increases in a future government retirees benefits based on compensation that was paid to increase those benefits, including cash-outs of unused vacation and leaves and payments made at the end of employment that exceed a workers regular salary. The laws clearly applied to employees who were hired after January 2013. The issue in the court case was whether they also applied to those who had been hired before 2013 and were still on the job. State Supreme Court rulings going back more than 60 years have said public employees have a vested right to a pension from the day they are hired. That makes the pension plan a binding contract between the employee and the state. A dozen other states follow what has become known as the California Rule, which largely prohibits states from reducing an employees future pension benefits. Unions representing several thousand Marin County employees invoked the California Rule in a lawsuit after the countys Retirement Association applied the new antispiking laws to reduce the pensions of workers who were on the job in 2013 and subsequently retired. Union lawyers noted that the states high court said in 1983 that any reduction in an employees future retirement benefits must be accompanied by comparable new advantages so that the employee breaks even. But the First District Court of Appeal, in an Aug. 17 ruling, said the high court has used the word must in only a single ruling, and has said in other decisions only that any cut in benefits should be offset by increases. Until retirement, an employees entitlement to a pension is subject to change short of actual destruction, Justice James Richman said in the 3-0 ruling. The government may not impose a radical reduction in benefits or a fiscally unjustifiable increase in employee contributions, he said, but may lower future benefits as long as the employee remains eligible for a reasonable pension. In this case, Richman said, the antispiking laws would result in relatively modest reductions, for legitimate reasons, and would not immediately harm employees who could choose to receive the additional compensation before they retired. In seeking state Supreme Court review, union lawyers said the ruling contradicted decades of decisions by the state Supreme Court and appellate courts, was based on governments unsupported claims of financial calamities and was unfair to workers. What is ultimately at stake are the pension benefits of hundreds of thousands of existing public employees, many of whom have labored in public service for decades, relying on promises made to them and vigorously protected by our courts, said attorneys for the Marin County unions. Statewide labor groups also urged the court to take up the case. Attorney General Kamala Harris office, which helped defend the new laws, agreed that the high court should review the case because of its importance but said the laws should be upheld. The case is Marin Association of Public Employees vs. Marin County Employees Retirement Association, S237460. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) A Latvian suspect in a First Bank ATM theft case offered his apologies to the Taiwanese people three times at a court hearing Wednesday, but claimed that he had not intended to commit any crime as he thought he was only helping friends to "take something" in Taiwan. Welcome to followthemedia.com The article or material you have chosen... ftm Radio Page ...is available for restricted access. You may access this specific article or material for 4 If you are an ftm Member, please go to the home page HERE and log in ftm Members can access all site material at no additional charge. You can JOIN ftm here The ftm newsletter available at no charge to all with registration To register click here. Come and enjoy Read more [...] This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It seems like a good deal: A quick photo op with the president, a pardon, then heading off to a farm to live out life. But while White House pardoned turkeys do get spared the indignity of becoming Thanksgiving dinner, they don't exactly have a long happy life ahead of them. MAKING DINNER: How to cook a whole turkey, head to toe Since President Harry Truman first pardoned a turkey, the birds have been sent to a variety of farms, including George Washington's Mount Vernon. They stopped going to Mount Vernon because having the birds there was historically inaccurate - Washington didn't farm with turkeys. Otherwise, the turkeys have been sent from Washington, D.C. to farms in Virginia, California and Florida. FAMILY FUN: Awkward Thanksgiving photos define holiday struggle The turkeys lately haven't had much time to enjoy being pardoned. Whereas wild turkeys can live up to 5 years (and one was known to have lived to be 13), domesticated meat production turkeys are often fed and bred to live brief, albeit productive, lives. Popcorn, one of the turkeys pardoned in 2013, died the summer after his short stay at the White House from something heat-related," Teresa Davenport, spokesperson for Morven Park told the Huffington Post. Cobbler and Gobbler, who were spared from becoming dinner in 2012, both died within a year of being pardoned. Three of the four turkeys pardoned in 2010 and 2011 died less than five months after leaving the White House. The final turkey from 2011 lived for 16 months following the ceremony. DINNER'S ON: Frying turkey without starting a house fire "The bird is bred for the table, not for longevity," Dean Norton, the director at Mount Vernon in charge of livestock told CNN. "Some of [the pardoned turkeys] have been pretty short lived." Christina Alvarado, a professor in the poultry science department at Texas A&M, said on average, well-cared for turkeys who receive a pardon can live a year or two after the ceremony. The turkeys are bred to have shorter life spans than wild turkeys and are fed constantly to fatten them up, which can cause health problems that shorten their lives. A pardoned turkey may not eat as much after being spared because they are no longer in the meat production line, Alvarado said. BULKED UP: Today's turkeys weigh twice as much as a few decades ago They get pretty good care after they get pardoned," Alvarado said. This year's turkeys, Tater and Tot, the last to be pardoned by President Barack Obama, are headed to Virginia Techs Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences. The birds, which received clemency on Tuesday, will be housed in Gobblers Rest, a newly built enclosure located inside the universitys livestock judging pavilion. DINING OUT: Houston restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner, and to-go orders The National Turkey Federation, which donated this year's birds, is hoping for more post-pardon time than other birds have seen in recent years. Alvarado said with the expected good care, Tater and Tot should have a a couple of years of good living ahead of them. "Thats a pretty good lifestyle that theyre living, Alvarado said. On Monday, some of the biggest names in TV news trooped into Trump Tower for an off-the-record meeting with the president-elect. It was an all-star cast. Not just on-air stars like Lester Holt, Wolf Blitzer and George Stephanopoulos, but their bosses were also summoned before the Potentate of Fifth Avenue. The meeting was a huge success for Donald Trump. Soon after it broke up, a leak to the New York Post brought on a story about how thoroughly the president-elect had taken the attendees to task. With attribution to anonymous tipsters, the Post wrote: "The meeting was a total disaster. The TV execs and anchors went in there thinking they would be discussing the access they would get to the Trump administration, but instead they got a Trump-style dressing-down. . . . Trump kept saying, 'We're in a room of liars, the deceitful, dishonest media who got it all wrong.' " Call it Woodshed Theater, with all the applause lines for the president-elect. Brandon Friedman, a Virginia-based public relations executive, offered his theory on Twitter: "They walked into an ambush, agreed not to talk about it, then Trump went straight to the Post with his version." Then it was just a hop, skip and jump to a big headline on the Drudge Report, with its huge worldwide traffic: "Trump Slams Media Elite, Face to Face." As Business Insider politics editor Oliver Darcy aptly put it, that is "how a lot of America will see this." The result for the president-elect: He once again was able to use the media as his favorite foil. Having a whipping boy is more important than ever now that the election is over and there is no Democratic opponent to malign at every turn. Yes, there's no proof that the Trump camp tipped the New York Post, but don't forget, this is someone who used to pose as his own spokesman to spread word of his romantic conquests. And the newspeople were largely unable to provide their own version of events because they had agreed to its being off the record. That's supposed to mean that nobody talks about it a rule that was immediately broken (which also doesn't speak particularly well for them). Through anonymous leaks, participants agreed with some aspects of the "total disaster" and disagreed with others, but Trump benefited in the end. He got a lot of attention, he got to continue bashing the establishment elite, and he evidently put the TV people on notice that if they want access to him as president, they'll need to bow and scrape. Notably, Trump hasn't held a news conference since July. On Tuesday, shockingly, a new melodrama arose: Trump's planned meeting at the New York Times was canceled, then restored. The Times played it right. Despite a tweet attack from the president-elect, editors refused to go the off-the-record route with Trump, which was his preference, for obvious reasons because he wanted again to control the story. With the exception of a brief off-the-record conversation between Times Publisher Arthur Sulzberger and the president-elect, the meeting was fair game for news stories as it should be. Off-the-record was a mistake for the TV people, and it would have been a mistake for the Times. The paper successfully called Trump's bluff. As much as he professes to despise the Times, he remains in some ways the Queens boy who lusted after Manhattan success and acceptance. In many ways, Trump can bypass the traditional press using YouTube or Twitter to take his message to the world without pesky journalistic fact-checking or filtering. He has masterfully manipulated the media for the past 18 months bullying reporters, garnering billions in free publicity and portraying journalists as part of the corporate structure that must be brought down so that the people can triumph. That's a deeply misleading and dangerous picture. In fact, U.S. citizens need an independent press more than ever. Journalists, and their corporate bosses, shouldn't allow themselves to be used as props in Trump's never-ending theater. BERLIN The German government expressed revulsion Wednesday at Nazi-style salutes such as those performed at a recent far-right event in Washington, but said it was confident the United States can tackle the issue. Video published by the Atlantic showed participants at the event Saturday raising their arms in salute during a speech by Richard Spencer, head of the white-nationalist National Policy Institute. IRBIL, Iraq Iraqi troops gained a foothold Tuesday in another neighborhood in the northern city of Mosul after fierce battles against Islamic State militants dug in behind heavy fortifications, according to a top Iraqi commander. A new analysis, meanwhile, has found that there is a high risk that the Islamic State will deploy chemical weapons against Mosul civilians or Iraqi troops fighting to retake the city. According to IHS Markit, the extremist group has used chemical weapons at least 52 times in Iraq and Syria since 2014, including 19 times in the Mosul area alone. Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of the Iraqi special forces, said Islamic State fighters were firing rockets and mortars as his forces cautiously advanced in the densely populated Zohour neighborhood. There are too many civilians still living there, he said. Iraqi troops began their siege of Zohour on Sunday as they fortified their positions in neighborhoods already retaken in eastern Mosul. Suicide bombings, sniper fire and concerns over the safety of civilians there are 1 million still in Mosul have combined to slow down progress in the campaign to liberate the city, which began Oct. 17. Mosul is Iraqs second-largest city and the largest to have fallen to the militants. Most gains in the campaign so far have been made by the special forces operating east of the Tigris River. Other forces, including the Kurdish peshmerga and volunteer Sunni militiamen, are advancing on the city from different directions, and the U.S.-led coalition is providing air strikes and other support. A coalition air strike on Monday destroyed a major bridge over the Tigris in the southern part of Mosul, cutting Islamic State supply lines to the east bank, where most of the fighting is taking place. The coalition has destroyed three bridges in Mosul, and Iraqi officers said the two remaining bridges in the city are also likely to be hit. The Iraqi troops are expected to use U.S.-made pontoon bridges when they need to cross the Tigris later in the campaign. Islamic State captured Mosul in a matter of days in the summer of 2014, when it swept across northern and central Iraq. IHS Markit, a London-based intelligence analysis firm, says the extremists later used the city as a center for the production of chemical weapons. The experts believe Islamic State moved the materials and its chemical weapons specialists out of Mosul ahead of the Iraqi offensive, but may still use crude chemical weapons like chlorine and mustard agents as the troops press deeper into the city. 1 Antiterrorism force: Syrias military announced Tuesday it is forming a new antiterrorism commando force, calling on volunteers interested in achieving the final victory against terrorism to apply. After nearly six years of combat, Syrias conscription-based armed forces have become overstretched and Syria has increasingly relied on its regional allies that have boosted its numbers and capabilities. Iran, Iraq and Lebanons Hezbollah have sent in hundreds of fighters to fight alongside government troops. 2 Land mines report: Despite a global treaty that bans land mines, casualties from those weapons and other unexploded munitions lurking in current and past war zones rose sharply last year to the highest point in a decade, a monitoring group said Tuesday in its annual report. The Geneva group, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, said 6,461 people were known to have been wounded or killed by land mines and other explosive remnants in 2015. That was a 75 percent increase from 2014 and the highest reported casualty total since 2006s figure of 6,573. When it comes to getting pulled over, the name on the car matters. (Steven Hsieh) Attorneys had agreed on the jury instructions. Witnesses were lined up. Twelve locals were already empaneled as a jury to hear both sides of the story. But the case came to an abrupt end on Halloween after six years of arbitration and litigation that involved a heated jurisdictional dispute between the Pueblo of Pojoaque and the county sheriff's department. Santa Fe County instead agreed to a $75,000 settlement last month with Jose Luis Loya, a Texas man who had sued in 2010 alleging wrongful arrest and excessive force by police. Had the case not been settled out of court, the jury would have determined whether Sergeant Glen Gutierrez, a Pojoaque police officer who was also commissioned as a county sheriff's deputy, pulled over Loya without probable cause as he was driving on Highway 84. They would have also heard a claim that Gutierrez pinned Loya's neck against a truck window and kicked him in the leg. But the New Mexico Supreme Court in May 2015 already answered the biggest question arising out of Loya's lawsuitwhether the county can be held liable for the actions of commissioned outside forces. Because of the answer, Santa Fe County no longer commissions outside police to help enforce laws within its jurisdiction. That prompted Sheriff Robert Garcia to end a years-long practice of enlisting the help of 17 different agencies to help enforce traffic laws and state statutes across the expansive region, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the City of Santa Fe, Torrance County, Los Alamos, Edgewood and the Pueblos of Pojoaque and Tesuque. He revoked sheriff's department commissions from the all but one police department. Outside of Garcia's deputies, only officers from the Los Alamos Police Department maintain authority to write tickets and make arrests in unincorporated parts of Santa Fe County. To keep those commissions, Los Alamos officials had to enter into a formal agreement with Garcia's department to carry any liability for actions carried out as county deputies. "Unless I can enter into agreements, things will stay as they are," Garcia tells SFR. "We will continue functioning and cover the county with our own resources." Gutierrez filed a claim saying he was enforcing a state statute for reckless driving during the traffic stop, and was therefore acting as a county deputy during the arrest. As such, county officials should carry the legal and financial burden on Loya's lawsuit. Gutierrez' case went to the Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision, the high court ruled that the county must defend the Pojoaque officer, reversing an Appeals Court ruling. In doing so, the court resolved "a significant issue of law that potentially affects law enforcement wherever state and tribal lands border each other throughout New Mexico," wrote now-retired Justice Richard Bosson. The ruling led to dissolution of agreements between Santa Fe County and surrounding law enforcement departments. Garcia had already decommissioned Pojoaque officers during the legal dispute. Then-tribal governor George Rivera purchased a two-and-a-half page ad in the New Mexican condemning the sheriff department's decision. Rivera's ad followed a rash of complaints by Sheriff Garcia's non-Pueblo constituents of aggressive ticketing by Pojoaque officers. According to the settlement dated Oct. 31, the county does not admit to any wrongdoing on behalf of the sheriff's department or officer Gutierrez. It's agreeing to pay out $75,000 to "avoid the time, energy and expense of further litigation." In the lawsuit, Loya claims Gutierrez applied his patrol car brakes in a "reckless" manner in front of the Texas man's car. Loya and his three brothers were driving north towards Espanola, following a fishing trip. Loya swerved his truck into the adjacent lane to avoid colliding into Gutierrez' car, he says. Gutierrez allegedly pulled over Loya shortly after the near-collision and ordered him to spread his legs and place his hands behind his back. Loya says Gutierrez pushed his neck up to his truck window and shouted, "I told you to spread them," before kicking him in his left leg. The officer arrested Loya and took him to the Adult Detention Center, where the man was incarcerated for two hours, according to jail records. Gutierrez filed a reckless driving charge against the man in Santa Fe County magistrate court. Without the help of other agencies, Santa Fe County deputies must cover a wide area. For example, if an officer from the Town of Edgewood pulls someone over for DWI outside the town boundaries, that officer will have to call the county to make an arrest. But stretching out the county's deputies won't put anyone in danger, says Sheriff's Department spokesman Juan Rios. "We feel comfortable that there is coverage. Just because an agency isn't commissioned doesn't mean there won't be communication between agencies if there is an incident that requires multi-agency interaction." Even so, he says, the Town of Edgewood and City of Santa Fe are both currently in negotiations to reinstate officers as county deputies. Santa Fe Reporter Earlier this year, Martin and Sandra Urban were worried about losing the business theyd spent more than 20 years building. Contracts were coming in and they had plenty of good workers, many of whom they hired from the nearby Pueblos. After wildfires and floods in the Sangre de Cristos, their excavating company won the contract to do cleanup and recovery work at the Pojoaque Valley Irrigation District's reservoir. Completed in the spring of 2015, the work had been inspected and approvedand money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency had already passed into the state's hands. But when the state's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) continued holding onto the cash, it put the Urbans in a bad spot. Owed more than $2.3 million, the Urbans couldn't pay all their bills, and they were at risk of losing the bond rating that allows them to bid on government contracts. After SFR and KUNM-FM reported on the problems in early September, US Sen. Martin Heinrich reached out to the state and the Urbans. Shortly afterwards, the state's Department of Finance Authority issued two checks to the irrigation district: one for $380,845.48 and the other for $1,469,339.57. After that, the Urbans got their money. But months later, it's still unclear what other problems exist behind the scenes at the state agency. Due 11 months ago, the department's state-required audit for FY 2015 finally arrived at New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller's office late Monday afternoon. In February 2015, the Office of the State Auditor had noted that the department had $40 million in open budgets related to disaster declarations in New Mexico. According to that letter, his office couldn't identify "any valid reason" for maintaining those high balances. Speaking in October, before his office received the draft audit this week, Keller said that despite the red flag, his office was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. "By and large, audits tend to reflect management of the departmentand this is the only cabinet agency that has a late audit," said Keller. When asked if there might be others like Urban who are awaiting payments, Keller could only say that his office is concerned that it's a statewide issue. "We've had dozens of complaints through the fraud hotline," he said. "If [DHSEM] can't get their act together shortly, they're probably going to face legal action from folks who can easily come together with a class action or qui tam suit." In September, Keller's office also sent a letter to Gov. Susana Martinez, asking for her help with the troubled agency. One suggestion he offered was having the state's Department of Finance and Administration oversee disaster grants instead, and take over DHSEM's critical financial functions. DHSEM Cabinet Secretary M Jay Mitchell would not grant interviews with SFR. The department's public information officer, Karen Takai, has not answered our inquiries as to whether the agency has begun its 2016 audit, which is due next month. In September, Mitchell's agency did issue a $256,151.99 contract to RPC CPAs & Consultants, a large accounting firm. That's on top of the contracts the agency already has for other accounting work. Meanwhile, Martinez' office says that the Department of Finance doesn't need to take control of the agency's finances. According to an emailed statement from Press Secretary Michael Lonergan, in Mitchell's two years as agency head, he has "righted the ship and made significant and undeniable progress when it comes to their finances." Lonergan points to a June 2016 letter from FEMA that recognizes the agency's progress following federal monitoring visits that exposed myriad problems at the state. But that letter is far from complimentary, noting that the department still lacks a standard file management convention, has some questionably ineligible reimbursements, doesn't properly document the monitoring of subgrants and fails to include financial documentation in its grant files. The agency also appears to have serious staffing issues. In early November, 22 of the agency's 66 positions were vacant. (In October, those numbers were 25 vacancies out of a total of 69 positions.) When asked why one-third of the staff positions remain unfilled, Takai responded that the vacancy rate has been "greatly reduced" over the past year. "One area that continues to remain strong in the department is our readiness, capability and capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters in New Mexico," she wrote. "Our preparedness outreach programs to our communities, our statewide training for responders, our interagency net working for keeping New Mexico safer will continue to stay strong. It is due to the commitment of the mission and the work ethic of our employees that made this happen." Santa Fe Reporter Haaland Won't Seek Re-election New Mexico Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, who was accused of favoring Hillary Clinton during the primary campaign, has . Andrew Oxford reports that Vice Chairman Juan Sanchez of Belen plans to campaign for the post to help unify the party and bring back people that feel theyve been left out in the cold. Business Doesn't Want Trump Supporters The owner of an Albuquerque-based internet marketing company says Donald Trumps supporters . Matthew Blanchfield tells KOB that he has a moral obligation to stand up for what he believes is right and against injustice. Spaceport Transitions to Commercial Space Ops Under new executive management, Spaceport America is , according to Susan Montoya Bryan over at the Associated Press. Contractors Frustrated with Facebook Data Center Construction Standards Construction subcontractors, who had hoped to get lots of new business at Facebooks new data center, are generally by the social media giants Oregon-based general contractor. They claim theyll essentially be disqualified from working on project in Los Lunas. Outside Investigator Will Review Allegations Against Police Department After originally saying the Albuquerque Police Department would investigate allegations that police lapel camera videos were deleted or altered itself, City of Albuquerque Attorney Jessica Hernandez has now agreed to . Meanwhile, Second Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg thinks the allegations warrant a federal investigation. Solano Donates Kidney to Former Judge Vigil Former Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, who was convicted of five felonies for the sale of county-owned items on eBay, Tuesday to retired state District Court Judge Michael Vigil, according to a Facebook posting by a sister of Solano, and reported by Rebecca Moss. Both men are said to be doing well. Homeless Work Program Questioned Jeremy Reynalds, the director of Joy Junction, a homeless shelter in Albuquerque, is raising concerns about the citys program to offer day jobs to panhandlers and about what kind of background checks are being done and whether taxpayers would be on the hook if someone commits a crime or is injured. Hes also concerned about the programs emergency shelter referral process. Read his excellent essay at NMPolitics.net. Something to be Thankful For Close to two dozen homeowners stuck with large utility bills have . Homewise and the Solar Opportunity Loan Fund have connected them with low-interest loans and private solar contractors to design and install solar-voltaic systems on their homes. For the most part, their monthly payment on solar is less than they were paying for electric, said Rachel Silva, the marketing manager for Homewise, a not-for-profit in Santa Fe that builds energy-efficient homes and works with low- to moderate-income families to finance purchases. Speaking of Thanksgiving, well be off tomorrow but back with the Morning Word before you head out to shop for some deals on Black Friday. 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"Intueris board considers that current trading volumes and the benefits of listing do not warrant the costs of maintaining an ASX listing," the Auckland-based company said in a statement. "The majority of Intueris shareholders (about 75 percent) hold their shares on the New Zealand register and in the past six months, 64 percent of share trading was on the NZX. Delisting from the ASX is consistent with Intueris focus on cost initiatives and efficiencies and will assist in reducing administration and compliance costs, whilst not affecting normal operating activities in either Australia or New Zealand." Intueri's move to delist from the ASX comes after it last month lowered its 2016 earnings guidance, with the private education group saying deeper cost cuts and the decision to sell its dive school aren't enough to offset weaker enrollments and one-time restructuring costs. Its shares are the weakest performer on the S&P NZX All Capital Index this year, having shed 90 percent of their value to last trade at 7 cents in the face of a raft of bad news in New Zealand and Australia, including investigations of some of its schools. ASX, which operates the Australian exchange, has indicated that it would consent to the delisting, subject to conditions which Intueri says it will comply with. Should the move go ahead, any shareholdings remaining on the company's Australian register would be transferred to its New Zealand register, and the company would continue to be listed in New Zealand. No date for the change has yet been set. 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: Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting ENS - Rights Issue Offer Document Founder Sam Morgan is to leave the board of Trade Me, the company he founded and sold in 2006, on Dec 15, the company said today in a statement. His departure was signposted in October, and tributes were paid at this month's annual general meeting in Wellington, which he attended. He told BusinessDesk in October that he intended to remain a shareholder but wanted to clear his calendar to focus on early-stage businesses and his charitable foundation. Morgan joined the board when it listed on the NZX in 2011. Simon West is to take his place as independent director. West is currently the executive director of Max Fashions, the women's clothing retailer. He was previously chief executive of EziBuy and the Australian e-commerce website, DealDirect.com.au. Trade Me chair David Kirk welcomed him onboard: "Simon comes with great online experience and a deep knowledge of retail. He brings a valuable entrepreneurial outlook and also has a good understanding of bigger businesses. I'm sure he'll be an excellent addition to the board." "Trade Me is a fantastic business with a lot of opportunity in front of it. I'm looking forward to making a contribution to one of New Zealand's most admired companies," West said. Shares in Trade Me fell 0.2 percent or 1 cent to $4.84. They've risen 16 percent since the start of the year. 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: Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting ENS - Rights Issue Offer Document Foley Family Wines, which operates through brands including Vavasour and Martinborough Vineyard, has warned investors of a challenging period ahead, partly as a result of the Kaikoura earthquake. The quake caused significant damage to storage tanks at the Grove Mill winery in Marlborough, with some bulk wine lost. There was a small amount of damage to vineyards, with minimal damage to finished goods and buildings. Last week, the company said it was clear the damage would be more than its insurance excess of $1 million, although it has the resources to cover the extra cost. In slides shown to shareholders at its annual general meeting in Wellington and published to the NZX, FFW said that its aim was to be back up and running for next year's vintage. However, the challenges are not just limited to recovery from the earthquake. Case sales for the six months to the end of December are expected to be down approximately 15 percent on the year earlier, mainly due to Australian and New Zealand markets. The slide suggests that the second six months will see, "significant improvement due to the current work being undertaken." The collapse in the value of the pound after Britain voted to leave the European Union is also having an impact, with the price per litre of wine in New Zealand dollars from the important British market falling 30.7 percent in the bottled market to $6.08, from $8.78 in August 2016. In Australia, the price per litre in NZ dollars fell 9.5 percent, but in the US it declined just 3.6 percent. Foley Family Wines also warned the 2016 vintage saw bumper yields in Marlborough, up 39 percent on 2015, with a substantial amount of cheaper, bulk wine on the market. The company is strong and will navigate the current headwinds, shareholders were told, with continued opportunities for growth in the United States. The business is majority owned by US billionaire Bill Foley, but listed on the NZAX. Shares were unchanged at $1.50 and have risen 3.45 percent since the start of the year. In a statement to the NZAX, the company said the quake had affected several tanks at its Grove Mill winery in the Wairau Valley near Renwick, although buildings and finished wine stocks were relatively undamaged. The company is currently working through the process with its insurers and the claim is in its preliminary stages, it said. However, it is clear that the cost of the damage will exceed the insurance excess for earthquake claims of approximately $1m. The company has the resources available to cover its insurance excess. 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: Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting ENS - Rights Issue Offer Document Cautionary note The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this press release Shell, Shell group and Royal Dutch Shell are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words we, us and our are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Subsidiaries, Shell subsidiaries and Shell companies as used in this press release refer to companies over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to joint ventures and joint operations respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as associates. The term Shell interest is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest. This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. 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There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shells products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shells 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov ). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this press release and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, 23 November, 2016. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this press release that United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. Canadian, American women prefer lesbian porn: StudyPostmedia NetworkFirst posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2016 11:44 AM EST | Updated: Tuesday, November 22, 2016 11:59 AM ESTLook out lads! The little lady is lusting after lesbians.A new report released by sex giant Pornhub -- the Walmart of wanking -- reveals that female users of the site are mostly watching lesbian porn.A new study from the website entitled What Women Want is suggesting its goodbye Booty Annihilators 2 and hello Amateur Lesbian Orgy 5.The survey revealed that Canadian and American women are 186% more likely to look for lesbian porn than men.In addition, it also says 63% of North American women are more likely to search for lesbian porn compared to women elsewhere in the world.About 60% of American women were more likely to search for sapphic smut compared to women in the rest of the world.Among the favourite searches by rank: lesbian scissoring, lesbian seduces straight girl, ebony lesbians, lesbian threesome and rough lesbian sex.Pornhub also found younger lesbians are more likely to indulge in sexxx-rated cinema than older women.In the U.S., the states that watch the most lesbian porn are all in the south: Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Jo Cox: Man jailed for 'terrorist' murder of MP At the Old Bailey Daniela Relph, BBC News correspondent The jury took just one hour and 36 minutes to reach its verdicts. Every seat in Court 8 of the Old Bailey was filled as the jury foreman stood to deliver the guilty verdicts. From Mair there was no reaction. He had maintained his silence throughout the trial and during every police interview. As the verdicts were delivered, Jo Cox's family smiled. Her sister, Kim, held her mother's hand. Then Jo Cox's husband read a victim impact statement. Standing in the witness box, in front of the man who murdered his wife, Brendan Cox told Mair that he pitied him because his life was devoid of love and consumed by hatred. It was a highly charged moment. The Cox family watched as Mair was led away, in silence, to begin his life sentence. The jury took just one hour and 36 minutes to reach its verdicts. Every seat in Court 8 of the Old Bailey was filled as the jury foreman stood to deliver the guilty verdicts.From Mair there was no reaction. He had maintained his silence throughout the trial and during every police interview.As the verdicts were delivered, Jo Cox's family smiled. Her sister, Kim, held her mother's hand. Then Jo Cox's husband read a victim impact statement.Standing in the witness box, in front of the man who murdered his wife, Brendan Cox told Mair that he pitied him because his life was devoid of love and consumed by hatred. It was a highly charged moment.The Cox family watched as Mair was led away, in silence, to begin his life sentence. BBC News23 November 2016Thomas Mair has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.The 53-year-old shot and stabbed to death the mother of two in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June, a week before the EU referendum vote.Mair shouted "Britain first" in the attack, but the judge said the true "patriot" was Mrs Cox, not Mair.Prosecutors said Mair was motivated by hate and his crimes were "nothing less than acts of terrorism".Mrs Cox, MP for Batley and Spen, had been on her way to a constituency surgery when she was set upon outside Birstall library in front of two of her assistants and shocked constituents.Mair shot the 41-year-old with a sawn-off rifle and stabbed her with a dagger, turning on 78-year-old Bernard Kenny, who tried to stop him. In a raid of Mair's home nearby, police found Nazi-related material.The jury found Mair guilty on three other counts: having a firearm with intent; causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Kenny; and having an offensive weapon, namely a dagger.Mair, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, remained impassive as the verdicts were read out, after just over 90 minutes of deliberations.He had not entered a plea and chose not to give evidence in his defence at the trial.But before sentencing, Mair asked to speak to the courtroom. The judge declined, saying he had already had an opportunity.In a statement read to a packed courtroom at the Old Bailey, Mrs Cox's husband Brendan said he was not there for "retribution" and felt "nothing but pity" for Mair.Later, speaking outside court, he said his wife's killing was an incompetent and self-defeating act of terrorism that was driven by hatred but instead created an outpouring of love.His family would not respond to hatred with hatred, he said, and Jo's ideas and values would live on in her children and family.In sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Wilkie described Mrs Cox as "a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, partner, and companion".He said her generosity of spirit was "evident in the selfless concern she had for others, even when facing a violent death", referring to Mrs Cox's plea to her assistants to get away and save themselves, as she lay dying in the street.Addressing Mair, he said: "You affect to be a patriot. The words you uttered repeatedly when you killed her give lip service to that concept."Those sentiments can be legitimate and can have resonance but in your mouth, allied to your actions, they are tainted and made toxic."Mair's inspiration was not love of country but admiration for Nazism, the judge said.He said Mair had not the courage to acknowledge what he had done and forced Mrs Cox's family to relive the events.By contrast, Mair's second victim of the day - Mr Kenny - acted "instinctively and courageously" to try to save Mrs Cox and deserves the highest praise, he said to Mair.Mr Justice Wilkie said the murder was carried out to advance a political cause of violent white supremacism, associated with Nazism.He said the aggravating feature was the weeks of planning in which Mair researched Mrs Cox, a past assassination of a serving MP and matricide, knowing she was the mother of young children.The judge sentenced Mair to life imprisonment, with a whole life term.He said he had concluded that the offence was so exceptional that Mair could only be released by a secretary of state.Outside court, Mrs Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater said she and her parents, Jean and Gordon, were relieved that the process was over after a difficult few months."We can and we will work through our pain and, as a family, we are stronger and more united than ever."I, for one, will not be beaten by what has happened and I know I am not alone - it is the last thing my sister would want," she said."There may have been one act of extreme cowardice on that day, but there were acts of extreme bravery," she added.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mair had "robbed the world of an ambassador of kindness" and urged her fellow MPs to confront those who wish to promote the hatred and division that led to her murder.Home Secretary Amber Rudd called it a "shocking and senseless murder" that was "an attack on all of us and the values we share of democracy and tolerance"."As home secretary, I am determined that we challenge extremism in all its forms including the evil of far right extremism and the terrible damage it can cause to individuals, families and communities," she said.The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement: "Mair has offered no explanation for his actions but the prosecution was able to demonstrate that, motivated by hate, his pre-meditated crimes were nothing less than acts of terrorism designed to advance his twisted ideology."The CPS said it worked closely with police to build a strong case, and commended a number of "brave" eye witnesses who gave evidence.Mair was a "cold-blooded killer" who lived a solitary lifestyle, with no social circle and had never come to the notice of the police before, DS Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, said.Nothing could ever excuse the evil and the horror that he brought to the small town of Birstall, he added. BENGALURU: Switzerland has given in to Indias persistent request and agreed to share Swiss bank accounts details with India. This is seen as a big move by the government to recover black money stashed away in Switzerland. But Switzerland will not share details of accounts prior to September 2018. The first exchange of information is supposed to take place in September 2019. According to the joint declaration, both the countries will start collecting information in 2018 and exchange it from 2019 onwards. While Switzerland has agreed on automatic exchange of information, India, on its part, has promised to protect the confidentiality of the data, given the sensitive nature of the case. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia tweeted: The income tax department will be able to obtain information from accounts of all Indians in Switzerland from 2018 onwards. Switzerland which has always been in the firing line for its strong secrecy clauses till a few years ago around its banking services, which has resulted in Indians allegedly putting money in Swiss banks. A concerted world pressure has resulted in Switzerland giving in and finally relenting on the tough secrecy clauses, which made impossible for countries like India to extract information about the black money stashed away in Swiss accounts. The Switzerland Department of Finance said the automatic exchange of information with India will be implemented based on the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information. The Swiss Federal Council has initiated the process and authorized the Federal Department of Finance to start the groundwork for the introduction of the AEOI with India and other countries. According to the Indian Finance Ministry, fighting this menace of black money and bringing back the money stashed in foreign accounts has been a top priority for this government and it will leave no stone unturned to achieve this goal. Read Also: Bill To Ban Commercial Surrogacy Introduced In Lok Sabha Awards Of 15 Lakh For Young Techno Innovators STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sun filtered through curtain sheers on this brisk morning at Duzer's Local, a Stapleton coffee shop waking up for the day. Bossa nova music played. The cappuccino machine hissed. A bakery driver announced a mirthful 'g'morning!' as he stepped across the wood planked floor with a box full of fresh pastries. "We started two weeks ago and it's been a great reaction from the community," said proprietor Veronica Silvestro. With her from-scratch, flavored simple syrups for coffee drinks and distinct baked goods from Brooklyn outfits, Ms. Silvestro stocks the store with provisions as the days go on -- bitters for a wintry cocktail, crackers to go along with that, plus snack-y extras like chocolate martini olives, gummies and salted candies. "We're starting to build up the retail," said Ms. Silvestro. "We want to focus on quality. We're invested in it." She sells raw, organic brown eggs from the dairy case at 50 cents apiece: The piecemeal keeps it affordable. Balthazar, a brasserie and bakery on Spring Street in Soho, agreed to deliver bread on weekends to Duzer's Local. And, during the week, the French-Belgian baked goods of Colson Patisserie in Park Slope are served. Bread puddings and fresh baked cookies hail from Ms. Bruno's own coffee shop, Henry's Local, also Park Slope. Ms. Silvestro and her business partner, Annette Bruno, display a few custom bites as well. Ms. Bruno claims bread pudding as a specialty. Along with banana-chip, pineapple-coconut and cranberry versions, there is "salted sweet potato" for late fall, baked into individual rectangles marked by unctuous, crisped edges. The custom simple syrups Ms. Bruno designs include a chocolate one for the Cafe Mocha, a drink with pleasant bitter notes. Barista Rosa Lovesy describes the concoction, offered in an oversized cup, as "surprisingly not too sweet." "I think I filled a void here," said Ms. Silvestro, an Eltingville resident who sees great promise in this Stapleton neighborhood. Indeed, in this burgeoning restaurant row on Van Duzer near Beach Street, there are a handful of exciting eats. Vida Restaurant, known for its Southwestern and eclectic American dinners, lives right next door. The Hop Shoppe, specializing in craft beer as a gastropub, thrives diagonally across the street, serving as neighbor to Pastry Lover's Choice, a bakery specializing in cookies, cinnamon buns and cakes with a Southern flair. Los Catrachos up Beach Street provides Honduran breakfasts and meals. Plus, the former Hashtag bar is ready to reopen with a concept "@388vanduzerst" and with a new name soon to be announced. "Nice to have a place like that there," enthused Silva Popaz about Duzer's Local. Ms. Popaz is owner and chef at Vida. Ms. Silvestro said, "Originally we thought we'd be closed on Sundays. But people wanted a place to go after church." So, she established limited hours for the day, in the meantime. She hopes guests book her dining room on Sundays for private parties. "I am really excited about it! And now that the holidays are coming I think it would be great space for office parties. We would totally be affordable. We can hold 30 to 40 people," she said. Food can come from locals such as Vida, DeFonte Sandwich Shop down on Water Street or any outside vendor for such an affair. Overall, hours at Duzer's stand at 7:30 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. daily. On the weekends, Duzer's closes at 7 p.m. Sundays hours, at the moment, are 10 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. Duzer's Local, located at 387 Van Duzer St., Stapleton; 646-479-5965. image1.JPG Authorities say they confiscated more than 2,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes from the defendant. (Photo courtesy of D.A.'s office) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The defense attorney for an alleged cigarette smuggler told a judge Tuesday his client has worked as a waiter for the past 15 years. Wenheng Zhao, 42, of Queens, was arrested at about noon Monday near the corner of Arden Avenue and Forest Green in Arden Heights, when a search warrant executed by police yielded 98 cartons containing 19,600 untaxed cigarettes in a BMW sedan, according to the criminal complaint and a spokesman for District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. Police then allegedly seized $30,000 cash and another 2,189 cartons -- containing 437,800 untaxed cigarettes -- from a residential property on Forest Green, listed in court records as a business address for Zhao. In terms of bail, defense attorney Joseph Sorrentino said Tuesday his client is not a risk to flee the area. "Once he hired Joe Sorrentino, he doesn't run for free," he said. "I don't give any refunds." Though based on bank records that show $100,000 wired to Zhao from China, and tens of thousands of dollars in bank accounts over the years, "his willingness to flee is reflective in bank records," said assistant district attorney James Snashall. Zhao is tied to a second address in Queens, according to the criminal complaint, in addition to a second BMW and $90,000 in a bank account at the time of his arrest, Snashall said. And there's little evidence of a trading business registered with the Department of Labor; no store front, trucks, or business cards, Snashall said. Prior to the arrest, Zhao allegedly sold more than 100 cartons to undercover officers over the course of two transactions, according to court records. In regard to the $100,000 bail requested by prosecutors, Sorrentino argued the crime is non-violent, and a class of felony that is not likely to land his client jail time. "We're here to determine whether he'll stay in the court's jurisdiction, not if he's guilty or not guilty," Sorrentino said. Judge Raja Rajeswari set bail at $50,000 bond, or $50,000 cash Zhao had not posted bail, as of Wednesday afternoon, and is due back in court Nov. 25, according to public records. Seawall.jpg A rendering of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' buried seawall with a new boardwalk above it. (Advance file image) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - In getting a green light from two Staten Island community boards, the city cleared a hurdle this week in its quest to acquire 25 East Shore parcels so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can build a seawall. The $579 million project calls for constructing a buried seawall from Fort Wadsworth to Oakwood Beach and a levee and floodwall in Oakwood Beach. Initially planning to build solely on existing public land, part of which had been acquired through state buyouts after Hurricane Sandy, the city determined in recent months that it needed to acquire 25 additional parcels, three of which have occupied homes. City officials are hoping for an amicable deal with landowners but will seize property through eminent domain if necessary. Property owners were notified in October that the city intends to buy the land from them, as it proceeds though a land use process that must be completed before the Army Corps can begin construction. One of many hurdles were cleared this week when both Community Boards 2 and 3 voted to support the city's plan to acquire the properties. "This is a multi-step process, and this is the first step," CB3 Chairman Frank Morano said. "Most of this property is to be used as flood plains. It is vital to protect the East Shore of our Island for all the homeowners and the infrastructure." CB3 voted on Nov. 22 in favor of the city's plan and CB2 voted in favor on Nov. 15. Their support was necessary for the acquisition plan to move along under the city's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure that requires public review of land use plans. The next step involves the borough president submitting a written recommendation to the City Planning Commission, which reviews the application, holds a public hearing and decides whether to approve, possibly ending with the City Council getting involved. Speaking with the Advance last month, Daniel Zarrilli, a Staten Islander who heads the Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency, said: "We hope to get a negotiated acquisition -- that's the goal. This project is ultimately providing protection for tens of thousands of people, thousands of residences across the entire East Shore. We can't have gaps in that or else the whole system doesn't work." Page Content Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), announces that there will be a road closure of Zagersgut road on 22 and 23 November from 8.00pm to 5am. This road closure is in connection with milling and patching works of existing potholes. The section of the road that will be closed is from the Zagersgut road/Coralita road going toward Bush road. There will be a traffic detour. There will be no through traffic on this section of Zagersgut road. - Traffic coming from A.Th. Illidge road from Madame Estate and Philipsburg going St. Peters have to take Coralita road. - Traffic coming from AJC Brouwers road and or L.B. Scott road heading to Philipsburg or Madame Estate Dutch Quarter have to take L.B. Scott road- Gladiola road Coralita road and a left on Zagersgut road. Or take Bush road- Prince Bernard Bridge Walter Nisbeth road. Road works will be carried out by Windward Roads. Motorists and pedestrians in the area should pay keen attention when commuting as heavy equipment will be in use. Pay attention to traffic diversion signs and workmen who will be present to help direct the flow of traffic. Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause. Brian Allan '17 is the 2016 - 2017 student blogger in the office of Communications and Marketing. A double major in English and Spanish with a minor in meida and film studies, he has provided a unique student insight to life at Skidmore. Its a Saturday night, and the wide, wood-paneled stage of Skidmores Arthur Zankel Music Center is flooded with blue light. On it rest a variety of purposefully-angled microphones, two large amps, and, at the very center, a shimmering drum kit. From the 600 seats that face the front of the stage, a crowd of Skidmore students, faculty, and staff talk anxiously among themselves. Suddenly the lights dim, and one of Skidmores most highly anticipated and best known annual traditions, Beatlemore Skidmania, comes to life. The two-day, three-show event has become a kind of Skidmore phenomenon; for weeks before opening night, the hype across campus is unreal. Students and faculty alike discuss, in fervent anticipation, what this years iteration will entail: everything down to the poster, the theme, the songs, and the performers. As far as institutional traditions go, few share Beatlemores capacity to unite the entire campus for a single causein this case, the love of a bygone era of music. This year the event was thematically focused on the album Revolver, which the Beatles released in the late summer of 1966. Though Id call myself a fan, Im by no means an expert on the band, its history, or its discography. That is to say that going into the event, I only knew a few songs off of the album: Eleanor Rigby, Yellow Submarine (duh), and Good Day Sunshine. Despite my limited knowledge of the shows specific thematic interests, I had no qualms about whether or not I was going to enjoy the performances. The general consensus among anyone whos ever been to Beatlemore is that you get your moneys worth and more, so I went in with little to no concern and expectations high. The show did not disappoint. From the contributions of Skidmore bands, such as Funkin Donuts rendition of Got to Get You into My Life and Tim Lok Chans For No One, to the solo acts, including sophomore Lena Schwartzs performance of All My Loving, each element of the show was finely rehearsed and charmingly original. There were even several performances by some well-established campus a cappella groups, including the Sonneteers, the Bandersnatchers, and the Drastic Measures. I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer diversity of the performances and their stylings; the show wasnt just one thing, but rather a celebration of the different voices and sounds that populate our campus collective. It was honestly a treat to get to watchand hearall of these things come together and create such a uniquely captivating whole. By the time that all the performers joined the stage for the final song, a rendition of Yellow Submarine, it was hard not to get lost in the charm of it all. Leaving the show, I got to thinking about why it is that everyone loves this event so much. In the end, I decided that what makes Beatlemore so popular in the Skidmore community, at least in my opinion, is that it appeals to most everyone. For some of the faculty and staff, as well as members of the Saratoga community, it appeals to a very real sense of nostalgia for a lived period of time and music. For others, like me, that nostalgia is rooted in childhoodthis is the music that we were raised on, that our parents played when we were growing up. And for those who dont have a direct relationship to the Beatles, the event is still so many things: a chance to catch a glimpse of the talent that thrives on this campus; an opportunity to learn about and appreciate a musical era; or simply a means of understanding what makes Skidmore so great, which is that here, creative thought matters. Beatlemore is all these things, and more. 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 This year, protesters laid out funeral flowers outside the House and Senate chambers to symbolize the Idahoans who have died without health coverage. Yet lawmakers resisted agreeing on any sort of expansion compromise, instead ending the session by agreeing to study the issue once again under an interim committee. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: %method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: %perl> 28: